More than 120,000 people turned up for Kaohsiung County's "228 Hand-in-Hand Rally," a turnout that surprised even event organizers.
Gathering in Kaohsiung's rally headquarters in Gangshan (
Rally organizers in towns throughout Kaohsiung County reported that participants significantly exceeded the number of people who signed up for the event. Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh (
Yang, who stood atop a campaign car to greet the human chain in Kaohsiung -- a historical stronghold for the Democratic Progressive Party -- said that he saw large groups of people along the route rather than a thin human chain.
Undaunted by the hot weather, men, women and children began lining up along the planned route around noon, holding small flags and banners saying "Yes! Taiwan" and "No missiles."
At 2:28pm sharp, hands were all up in the human chain and people shouted "Yes, Taiwan" and "No, China." The chanting lasted three minutes.
The rally then listened to President Chen Shui-bian (
Wang Ching-yu (
Wang's 70-year-old daughter Wang Yueh-lan (
"My father once shook hands with A-bian [Chen's nickname]. I told my father A-bian is campaigning for re-election and asked him whether he wanted to join the hand-in-hand rally to show his love for Taiwan," said Wang Yueh-lan.
"My father said he wanted to come," said Wang Yueh-lan, adding that her father never missed any opportunities to vote.
Tsai Chia-lin (
"I want to show my love for Taiwan," Tsai said.
Although China may not dismantle its nearly 500 missiles aimed at Taiwan as a result of the hand-in-hand rally, Tsai said at least the rally "has exhibited the Taiwanese people's collective will."
"We have voiced our hope to the world," she said.
The rally will have a positive impact on Chen's re-election bid, said Yang.
"Besides, we have to let China know Taiwan is a democracy. China cannot threaten Taiwan with its weapons," he added.
Meanwhile, more than 5,000 residents from Taitung County traveled to Pingtung to support the human chain.
A night rally took place in Ping-tung's Oluanpi (鵝鸞鼻), Taiwan's southernmost tip, to commemorate the 228 Incident, marking the end of yesterday's event.
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