The head of the National Police Agency, Hou Yu-yi (侯友宜), announced yesterday that 31,000 officers would be stationed at the more than 145 political rallies taking place today and tomorrow around the nation.
Both the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) will stage large rallies this weekend to drum up support for their respective candidates on the final weekend before the presidential election to be held next Saturday.
AVOID CONFLICT
At a briefing yesterday, Hou reminded the public to refrain from illegal, especially violent, behavior and said it would not be tolerated by the police.
To avoid conflict at public rallies, the DPP and KMT will adopt separate routes for their rallies.
DPP presidential candidate Frank Hsieh's (謝長廷) campaign team is holding a nationwide event titled "Million People High Five, Come-back Win," on Sunday. It has called on its supporters to bow toward the Central Mountain Range at 4:30pm as a gesture paying homage to Taiwan.
ASSEMBLY POINTS
Hsieh's camp estimated the event would be attended by approximately 1 million people at 214 assembly points throughout the country, with DPP heavyweights leading the crowds on a rally at 3:14pm.
The departure time is to mark the date of the passage of China's "Anti-Secession" Law on March 14, 2005, which legislated the use of "non-peaceful means" against Taiwan.
Hsieh's team has rented six helicopters to record the campaign event.
Meanwhile, the KMT is also hoping to attract 1 million supporters for rallies that will begin simultaneously at 3:22pm tomorrow in 25 cities and counties.
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