Also yesterday, the DPP released details of a four-day demonstration planned to protest against Chen’s visit.
DPP spokesman Cheng Wen-tsang (鄭文燦) told a press conference yesterday that the series of demonstrations, called the “Yellow Ribbon Siege” included a three-day sit-in protest on Jinan Road near the Legislative Yuan beginning tomorrow at 7pm and running through Wednesday, followed by an evening rally that day.
Cheng said protesters would tie yellow ribbons around their heads.
The “siege” will start on Thursday at 3pm and protesters will walk to the Taipei Guest House on Ketagalan Boulevard and besiege Boai District (博愛), chanting slogans and using horns, bells, whistles and other objects to generate noise.
They will also tie yellow ribbons on the barbed wire fences set up by the police.
Cheng said the party hoped the demonstrations would be peaceful.
Meanwhile, the DPP’s Taipei branch yesterday said it would form a 250-member taskforce to stage surprise protests against Chen.
The branch was also preparing to release 1,200 balloons daubed with anti-China slogans near the Grand Hotel.
The pro-independence Northern Taiwan Society meanwhile said that it would offer cash prizes to anyone who could hit Chen with an egg.
“We will offer NT$1,000 to protesters who hit Chen’s body with eggs, and NT$10,000 to anyone who can hit Chen’s face,” vice chairwoman Michelle Wang (王美琇) said.
Wang said that her organization was opposed to the more than 1,000 missiles China deployed against Taiwan.
In response to the planned protests, the police yesterday said that they were ready for any potential “situations” that may arise during Chen’s visit.
“We are prepared for many different scenarios,” said a high-ranking National Police Agency officer who wished to remain anonymous.
The officer said that as soon as Chen’s plane lands tomorrow, a police escort would be deployed from the airport all the way to the hotel.
The officer said that the police would form a “human shield” around Chen if any unexpected attacks or protests were carried out near him.
“We will avoid creating more chaos by assigning officers with weapons and shields. We will try to stay low-profile while carrying out our duties to avoid aggravating any protesters,” he said.
The Chinese-language Apple Daily reported yesterday that there would be more than 800 police officers guarding the Grand Hotel throughout Chen’s stay. In addition, it said Chen would be escorted and protected by 40 Special Forces officers wherever he went. The officer would not confirm the figures but said that security for Chen “will be very tight.”
“We need to ensure no incidents occur during his visit. It has nothing to do with politics,” he said.
Despite the increased security measures, one man carrying a Republic of China flag managed to put on a brief protest inside the heavily guarded hotel.
“We used to fight the commies, but now [the government] is protecting them,” the man grumbled before being chased away by police officers.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY AP
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