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Community Compass: Opinions swirl after ARATS protests

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For days last week, images of furious protesters battling against the police filled the nation’s headlines. Police were caught in news footage beating people with wooden clubs and metal shields, while some protesters threw objects such as glass bottles and stones at the police.

The clashes led the government and the opposition party to point fingers at each other, each blaming the other for the chaotic display. The scenes also stirred up strong feelings from the expatriate community from all points of the spectrum.

David Reid, an Australian student studying at National Chengchi University who witnessed the protest on Wednesday, said that the violence that ensued last week gravely affected Taiwan’s democracy by “turning the clock back 20 years.”

“By banning the display of the Republic of China flag, the government sent a very clear signal that Taiwan’s sovereignty was made subordinate to the People’s Republic of China. I think that was the most dangerous thing the government did during the week and this led to the situation where people were very angry. There is no question that Taiwan is in a very dangerous position right now.”

Jacques Stroebel, a teacher from Canada, applauded Taiwanese police for dealing with the protesters in a “very strong but gentle manner.”

“I give my respect to the police. Back home, the police could seriously hurt you for throwing things at them,” he said.

Anti-China rhetoric and scathing criticism against the police and the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) have been posted on various Web sites and blogs managed by foreigners.

Tim Maddog wrote on his blog: “Martial law is being reintroduced to Taiwan, and the philistine police response to protesters as well as to people simply expressing their feelings is a clear indication of this situation.”

Some said the cops used excessive force on the people, but argued that protesters should also be blamed for the chaos. Others observed that the majority of the protests were not at all violent and blamed the press for sensationalizing the events. Some others speculated the emotionally charged protests were orchestrated by pan-green politicians for the sole purpose of boosting their own popularity and that of the party.

“Isn’t it so obvious? The rallies were full of politicians wearing vests with their names written on them. They are taking advantage of the chaos to have more face time. If the focus was to give the power to the people, commoners should also be allowed to speak their minds on the stage,” said a German professional who refused to go on the record because she feared offending her Democratic Progressive Party coworkers.

One blogger labeled as a “Fried Chicken Parts Vendor” wondered if the people were just “doing this for kicks?”

“There is no reason for all this shit ... I understand people are concerned, but is anyone out of [or inside] Taiwan going to take these people seriously? What’s on the news now is insane and it will be on TV in other parts of the world and it will make Taiwan look very bad in the eyes of the world.”

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