At 2pm on May 15, 1989, more than 30,000 intellectuals marched in support of the students on hunger strike. Writer Zhao Yu served as overall director; Yan Jiaqi, Bao Zunxin, and others walked in the front row. They held banners declaring them to be from "China's Intellectual Circles", as well as slogans such as "The Student Movement Is Just" and "Government Dialog ASAP". Thousands of citizens cheered in support.

At about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the group entered Tian'anmen Square. Wang Luxiang read out the "May 16th Statement", and many intellectuals also gave speeches. Zheng Yi (author of the novella "Old Well") said, "Today, the intellectuals in the capital took to the streets on behalf of all Chinese intellectuals, and stood up for the first time as Chinese intellectuals! All you students who are participating in the hunger strike, all of you who have participated in this great patriotic and democratic movement — you are our teachers. It is you who have educated us, and caused us to stand up. We will follow you!" The students responded with warm welcomes and continuous applause. Afterwards, the audience sang the national anthem and "The Internationale".

According to "The Tiananmen Papers", a total of 230 groups participated in that day's march, including faculty and staff from universities in the capital, graduate students from scientific research departments, young reporters, editors, writers, and artists. Many workers and citizens also followed along. Most of the groups put up slogans such as "In Solidarity with the Students" and "Supporting the Students". The Peking University contingent continued to shout: "Thousands of students are on hunger strike in the Square. Incompetent government, no one believes you. The students love the country, and I love the students. Peking University professors support the school strike and hunger strike. We protest against the government that turns a blind eye to suffering and offers no help. The teachers and students stand united; we are unafraid to bleed. We are duty-bound to save our students."

References: "The Big Bang of History: A Complete Record of the June 4th Incident"; "A Tiananmen Journal"; "The Tiananmen Papers"