More than 300 supporters of decriminalizing sex work took part in a scooter parade in Taipei's Wanhua and Datung districts yesterday.
One of their demands was for the city government to stop using policemen as bait to "fish" for prostitutes engaging in sexual transactions.
"Fishers" is a slang term used by prostitutes to refer to policemen who pretend to be patrons and seek to arrest suspects engaging in illegal sexual transactions.
PHOTO: CHENG HSUEH-YUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Supporters also demanded that Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
"Even though Ma was trying to differentiate himself from Chen Shui-bian, what he did was simply to amend the policy a little, but it is filled with hypocrisy," said the statement issued by the Collective of Sex Workers and Supporters.
Other social groups also joined the event. Wang Huei-woan (王慧婉), vice chairman of the Grassroots Teachers' Association, said the association also supported the cause because sex is a legitimate need of humans.
"As educators, we think that it is better to lay out everything on the table rather than using hypocrisy and lies to cover up the reality," Wang said.
In addition to the parade, organizers also put on skits mocking the government for playing "number politics" by taking on individual prostitutes to raise its arrest figures.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
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