Police frustrate the protest plans of 921 earthquake victims

In a move to remind the government of their right to have a place to live and their right to a job, a group of 921 earthquake victims conducted a series of protest yesterday, including a sit-in in front of President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) official residence on the eve of Taiwan's Double Ten Day.

Taipei City Police Headquarters yesterday urged the protesters to remain rational and not to trespass into the presidential residence. If they did, police said, the intruders would be arrested for breaking the law.

Led by opposition PFP lawmaker Kao Ming-chien (高明見), an estimated 200 people began to gather at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂) at 4pm before marching toward the intersection of Ketagalan Boulevard (凱達格蘭大道) and Kungyuan Rd via the Legislature.

As the right to assembly and parade is guaranteed by the Constitution, Taipei City Police said the above-mentioned route had been approved by the police after a legal application by the protesters. But because the presidential residence is a protected area, people are not allowed to trespass.

In addition, due to the Double Ten Day parade to be held today in front of the Presidential Office, the whole of Ketagalan Boulevard has been under strict control. No sort of protest activity has been permitted in the area.

Kuo Yao-chi (郭瑤琪), chairwoman of the Public Construction Commission, went to visit the protesters, stressing the government's determination to rebuild the victims' homes and take care of their job opportunities.

But Kuo left soon afterward as her speech was interrupted several times by angry earthquake victims.

Prevented by the police from approaching the presidential palace, the protesters went back to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in the evening.

They set up tents at the corner of Ketagalan Boulevard and Kungyuan Road, vowing to spent the night there in protest.

But by 9:30pm the gathering had been dispersed after the police intervened.