In the mid-1980s, the democracy movement gained momentum and by 1989, Deng Xiaoping’s authoritarian leadership faced opposition. A series of widespread demonstrations at Tiananmen Square shut down the government during a visit by Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev. After some hesitation, Deng supported removing the protesters by force. On June 3-4, 1989, the military moved in under the cover of darkness and in a few hours it was all over. Though the international media was present for the Gorbachev visit, they were banned from the Square. It is believed that hundreds if not thousands of demonstrators were killed that night.