Text: Oman Mori

In a world where visual storytelling plays a crucial role in shedding light on important social and political issues, NYC--based Chinese documentary photographer Michael Gan aims to capture the lives and experiences of Chinese dissidents both young and old. His lens focuses on the struggle for freedom and democracy against a totalitarian regime.

A defining moment in China's history, the Tiananmen Protests of 1989, served as a catalyst for sparking the fight against authoritarian rule. The profound impact of the atrocities committed during the protests continues to reverberate through generations, driving the spirit of activism among Chinese dissidents worldwide.

“My parents participated in the Tiananmen Protests in 1989. There has always been a personal motivation for me to find out the truth and document people who experienced that. Now that there is another pro-democracy movement happening. I'm finding the connection between different generations of Chinese protesters, my goal is to collaborate with Chinese dissidents to create a body of work with current photographs combined with archives, it is about finding a home in exile while fighting against dictatorship and transnational repression, it is about preserving memories of the past, misunderstanding, and passing on the torch between the older and the younger generations of dissidents.”

Gan's work centers on the lives and experiences of Chinese dissidents living in the United States, particularly in cities like NYC, Washington D.C., and Boston. His work consists of intimate and powerful visual narratives, shedding light on the struggles, hopes, and dreams of these individuals who have chosen to continue their fight from afar.

One notable encounter with Fengsuo Zhou, a student leader during the 1989 Tiananmen Protests, exemplifies Gan's commitment.

In his own words:

January 25th, 2023, it was a rainy Wednesday in New York. I was on my way to meet Fengsuo Zhou, a student leader during the 1989 Tiananmen protests, and who has lived in exile ever since. He has a book of newspaper front pages from April to July of 1989, that documents the whole process of Tiananmen protests. And Zhou was giving me the book that day. “Scan this book, and we’ll make it into a digital copy. So more of the younger Chinese generation has an opportunity to learn our history”. He said.

Another important moment was the protest against the "Zero Covid" policy that occurred on October 13, 2022, in Beijing. This protest inspired a new wave of activism among the younger generation of Chinese people.

“On October 13, 2022, two banners were hung on the Si Tong Qiao overpass bridge in Beijing, just a couple of days before Xi Jinping secured his third term at the Chinese Congress meeting. “Say no to Covid tests, yes to food. No to lockdowns, yes to freedom. No to lies, yes to dignity. No to Cultural Revolution, yes to reform. No to the Great Leader, yes to votes. Don’t be a slave, be a citizen,” one banner read, a very rare protest against the “Zero Covid” policy.

“Go on strike, remove the dictator and national traitor Xi Jinping,” reads the other, challenging Xi Jinping’s regime. And it has inspired the largest protest for my generation of Chinese people. The first protest in New York happened during the Halloween parade, with dissidents dressed as “Da Bai”, (medical workers in PPE) symbolizing the inhumane “Zero Covid” policy. The protest was never about covid policies alone, protesters were chanting “Step down Xi Jinping” shortly after it started. This was where I met Zhou. He was walking in front of everyone, smiling. In a sense, he’s grateful that the younger generation of Chinese people have the integrity and courage to fight against dictatorship.

Notably, Gan's work extends beyond the streets of Beijing. He has forged connections with Chinese students at American universities such as Columbia University, Princeton University, and Boston University. Through these associations, Gan has captured various student-led movements, including The White Paper Society, an organization aimed at spreading information about democracy to Chinese students.

In November 2022, Gan captured the image of Shujun Wang, charged with acting as an agent of the PRC government and participating in a transnational repression scheme orchestrated by the Ministry of State Security of the People's Republic of China. By documenting Wang's story, Gan continues to highlight the injustices faced by Chinese dissidents at the hands of the regime.

To follow the ongoing journey of this emerging Chinese documentary photographer, visit his social media at https://www.instagram.com/mikegando

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