Mayor Hau Lung-bin tells

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) yesterday reminded anti-graft protesters to wrap up today's rally on Ketagalan Boulevard at the stipulated time. The protesters first launched their campaign last Sept. 9 with the aim of pressuring President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to resign.

Hau made the remarks at a public event in Taipei in response to questions about whether the rally might disturb public order.

Hau said that everyone has the constitutional right to organize protests, adding that organizers must follow regulations and plans, including the times set for a demonstration's start and end.

Asked whether he would join the upcoming rallies, Hau, who took part in the anti-Chen sit-in last year, said that "as mayor of the capital city, I have no plan to attend."

However, he said he would meet with former Democratic Progressive Party chairman Shih Ming-teh (施明德), who initiated the anti-graft campaign last year, later today to discuss today's demonstration.

The protest will begin at 4pm and last until midnight, campaign spokesman Jerry Fan (范可欽) said.