Several of the "red-clad" protesters who participated in massive rallies against President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) last year are planning to sue former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairman Shih Ming-teh (施明德), who led them in the protests.
According to Chung Tien-hua (鍾添華) and Chou Wei-kuang (周維光), who say that they were among the "red-clad" demonstrators who staged the protests in September and October, said they had collected endorsements for their cause from more than 200 others participants.
FRUITLESS
PHOTO: WANG YI-SUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
The fruitless demonstrations, held in front of the Presidential Office and across from Taipei's main train station, were part of an effort to pressure Chen to resign from the presidency or to succeed in getting him deposed over corruption scandals related to his family.
Chung and Chou announced their intention to sue at a seminar sponsored by Shih's campaign to discuss the case of Chen's special "state affairs fund," in which first lady Wu Shu-jen (
BREACH OF TRUST
The two men said that they will file a lawsuit against Shih with the Taipei Prosecutor's Office, charging fraud and breach of trust, when the number of people endorsing the move hits their "target number," which was not disclosed.
Expressing their dissatisfaction with Shih and displaying a roll of the more than 200 signatures that they collected, the pair accused Shih of unilaterally deciding to shut down a "red-clad house" near the Presidential Office and of calling his former supporters "homeless" and "villains."
The street demonstrations led by Shih ended late last year, after he collected millions of dollars in donations to finance the protests.
No response was available as of press time from Shih.
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