Remembering 228: Kaohsiung County surprises organizers

More 120,000 people turned up for Kaohsiung County's "228 Hand-in-Hand Rally," a turnout that surprised even event organizers.

Gathering Kaohsiung's rally headquarters in Gangshan (岡山), Kaohsiung County Commissioner Yang Chiu-hsing (楊秋興) and Minister of the Interior Yu Cheng-hsien (余政憲), who was born in Kaohsiung, were excited about the number of participants.

Rally in towns throughout Kaohsiung County reported that participants significantly exceeded the number of people who signed up for the event. Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) was the general manager of the rally in southern Taiwan.

Yang, who stood atop a campaign car to greet the human chain in Kaohsiung -- a historical stronghold for the Democratic Progressive Party -- said that he saw large groups of people along the route rather than a thin human chain.

Undaunted the hot weather, men, women and children began lining up along the planned route around noon, holding small flags and banners saying "Yes! Taiwan" and "No missiles."

At 2:28pm sharp, hands were all up in the human chain and people shouted "Yes, Taiwan" and "No, China." The chanting lasted three minutes.

The rally then listened to President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and former president Lee Teng-hui's (李登輝) speeches, broadcast from Miaoli by speakers set up along the route.

Wang Ching-yu (王清玉), a 108-year-old man from Kaohsiung's Lujhu (路竹), attended the rally. Wheelchair-bound and half deaf, he told his family that he wanted to vote for a candidate who was Taiwanese.

Wang's daughter Wang Yueh-lan (王月蘭) pushed his wheelchair onto the stage at the Gangshan headquarters, where rally participants enthusiastically welcomed him.

"My father once shook hands with A-bian [Chen's nickname]. I told my father A-bian is campaigning for re-election and asked him whether he wanted to join the hand-in-hand rally to show his love for Taiwan," said Wang Yueh-lan.

"My father said he wanted to come," said Wang Yueh-lan, adding that her father never missed any opportunities to vote.

Tsai Chia-lin (蔡佳玲), a 26-year-old worker from the Kaohsiung County Government, showed up at the rally with "Guard Taiwan with Our Hands" written on her forehead and hands.

"I want to show my love for Taiwan," Tsai said.

Although China may not dismantle its nearly 500 missiles aimed at Taiwan as a result of the hand-in-hand rally, Tsai said at least the rally "has exhibited the Taiwanese people's collective will."

"We have voiced our hope to the world," she said.

The rally will have a positive impact on Chen's re-election bid, said Yang.

"Besides, we have to let China know Taiwan is a democracy. China cannot threaten Taiwan with its weapons," he added.

Meanwhile, more than 5,000 residents from Taitung County traveled to Pingtung to support the human chain.

A night rally took place in Ping-tung's Oluanpi (鵝鸞鼻), Taiwan's southernmost tip, to commemorate the 228 Incident, marking the end of yesterday's event.