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Remembering 228: Human chain bears message of peace

About 100,000 people in Chunghua County and another 25,000 residents of Taichung County took part in yesterday's island-long human chain rally as a peaceful means of protest against China's military threat.

The highlight in Taichung was some 100 couples singing a famous Mandarin love song with Premier Yu Shyi-kun. In Chunghua County, participants carrying chrysanthemums gathered along the No. 1 Highway.

Chunghua County has earned its reputation for being at the heart of the nation's flower trade, and chrysanthemums are one of the county's biggest money-making products.

Speaking under the scorching sun in Taichung City yesterday after-noon, Yu told the couples holding hands with him and his wife, Yang Bao-yu (楊寶玉), on Fu-in Road that he hoped Feb. 28 would from now on become a wonderful day to remember instead of a tragic day to mourn.

"The reason we're gathering here today is to let the world hear our voices," Yu said. "We'd like the international community to know that while we express our opinions in such a peaceful manner, China has over 500 ballistic missiles targeted at us and the number continues to grow."

Yu called on the 100 couples to also support the nation's first national referendum, which is scheduled to be held in tandem with the presidential election on March 20.

"The precondition for couples like you to be happy is that the nation has to be safe," Yu said. "Please treasure the historic opportunity of the first referendum. Cast your ballot and tell China and the world that you want peace and a life that is free from fear and intimidation."

Yu then rushed to Tatsoon township in Chunghua County, which was the midpoint of the 500km-long human chain.

Beating a peace gong provided by Tienho Temple, Yu, accompanied by Chunghua County Commissioner Wong Chin-chu (翁金珠), said that he hoped the sound of the gong would bring peace to the nation and that the sound of peace would spread from central Taiwan to the entire nation and then further to the world.

"The voice of one person, or 100 or 1,000 people, may sound small, but it makes a whole lot of difference if 1 million people come out to tell China that we want peace and we love this land," he said.

Citing the example of his walking out of the legislature on Tuesday, Yu took the opportunity to highlight the necessity and importance of legislative reforms.

"That incident showed the poor quality of lawmakers' questioning skills and the desperate need for reforms of the lawmaking body," Yu said.

He also called on the public to help President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) win his re-election bid.

"Pushing for reforms is like growing a tree," he said. "Four years are simply not enough to push for reforms. Please support President Chen and Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) in their re-election bid, so they can continue their unfinished mission."

Mark Cartwright, a 26-year-old English teacher from California, said that he came to yesterday's rally because he wanted to support "our president" and to support the society that is growing in this country that promotes freedom and diversity.

"This is an unprecedented event in Taiwan. I'm very happy to take part in Taiwan's history and culture and I hope that this momentum carries over to the election," he said.

Cartwright said that he respected what Chen has done for this country.

"[I respect] the sacrifices that he and our vice president have made for this country. I think that they can make many more positive reforms," he said.

Cartwright said that the referendum was bound to be controversial, because it was the nation's first on a national level.

"I believe that referendums are very important for democracy and I believe all of these questions will be worked out naturally," he said. "I support the referendum process as giving the people one more check over the government. Any democratic country will be a good example to show you why the people should have more control over the government."

Kelley Deon, a 30-year-old Canadian who has been teaching English in Chunghua for three years, however, expressed a different opinion.

"I think it's dangerous," he said. "I don't think things are that bad here."

Deon said he was afraid that Taiwanese might get what they want in the end, but would have to face some serious consequences.

"Not military but economical consequences," he said. "I think it's kind of scary and dangerous, but I still support it. I think that they have to try."
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