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Hurt protesters’ families up in arms

Family members of the two demonstrators struck by a police car at an anti-government protest on Sunday staged a rally outside Taipei City Hall yesterday, saying the city should not have blamed the two victims for jaywalking.

The men, Chang Chung-hsiung (張忠雄), 68, and Hsu Jen-shan (徐仁山), 67, were leaving the rally when they were struck by a police car and seriously injured.

Chang suffered a brain hemorrhage, chest injuries and a fractured leg, while Hsu suffered bruises to his head and a broken hip joint. Doctors amputated the lower half of Chang’s left leg on Monday.

About 100 residents from Taoyuan County’s Bade City (八德) joined the protest, saying that the punishment meted out to the officers involved was too light and another disciplinary meeting should be held.

The two police officials each received a major demerit and two minor demerits, while their supervisors each received a minor demerit.

The relatives demanded a high-ranking city official accept their petition.

Skirmishes broke out with police as the protesters tried to storm Taipei City Hall, demanding Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) come out. They crossed the street and staged their protest outside the Taipei City Council after learning Hau was inside answering questions from city councilors.

During the questioning, Hau promised Democratic Progressive Party City Councilwoman Hsu Chia-ching (徐佳青) that he would help the families seek adequate compensation and money for food and board during their stay in Taipei.

Lin Chien-lun (林建綸), a neighbor of the victims, said Hau’s comments were empty promises for the cameras.

He said they expected a more detailed compensation proposal next week or they would stage a bigger demonstration.

Lin said he thought Hau was trying to cover up for the police and had lied about the condition of the men, one of whom was dying.

Lin also asked why the officers called their colleagues and not 119 after the accident.

Meanwhile, National Taiwan University Hospital said yesterday that Chang remained in critical condition, while the hospital refused to give details on Hsu.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JIMMY CHUANG
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