The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) announced yesterday that it will hold a massive march in Taipei on March 18 to garner public support for the abolition of the National Unification Council and guidelines, something it believes is imperative to resisting China's "Anti-Secession" Law.
non-peaceful means
On March 26 last year, the DPP held a march in Taipei to protest the Anti-Secession Law, which was enacted on March 14 and threatens the use of "non-peaceful means" to prevent Taiwan from moving toward formal independence.
The protest turned out to be the largest ever held in a single city in Taiwan, with around 1 million people taking to the streets to voice their rejection of China's legislation.
With the one-year anniversary of the Anti-Secession Law's enactment approaching, the DPP plans to call on people to return to Ketagelan Boulevard to restate the nation's objection of the law and also the National Unification Council and guidelines, DPP spokesman Tsai Huang-liang (
illegitimate
"The function and contents of the council and guidelines echo China's Anti-Secession Law -- both state that unification is the only real option," Tsai said. "Therefore, in order to oppose China's haughty attitude and illegitimate legislation, the DPP will hold a large-scale protest in Taipei on March 18. We hope we can count on at least 100,000 people taking part this year."
Tsai said that the DPP will cooperate with the Taiwan Democratic Alliance for Peace (民主和平護台灣大聯盟), an organization which is made up of 34 civil groups and more than 500 societies, and which is holding its own protest on March 26.
Last year, President Chen Shui-bian (
It was the first time that an incumbent president and premier had taken to the streets to support a protest.
This year's parade will also be an important evaluation of new DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun's performance and the DPP will try its best to make it a success, Tsai said.
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