Tens of thousands of people participated in the Lungshan Temple march -- one of the ten routes of yesterday's rally against the "Anti-Secession" Law. The march was led by Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) lawmakers and two large images of the No. 7 Lord and No. 8 Lord. The two gods represent law and order, and their duty is going after evil spirits in the underworld.
Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), spiritual leader of TSU, told the media before proceeding to another segment of the rally that it's time for the government to think of new ways to deal with its bullying neighbor, China.
"The people of Taiwan must understand that Taiwan has been an independent nation and has recognized China as a nation since May, 1, 1991 when I announced the abolishment of the Temporary Provisions Effective during the `Period of National Mobilization for the Suppression of the Communist Rebellion' (動員勘亂時期臨時條款)," he said.
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
As the move signified the termination of the status of civil war between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Chinese Communist Party, Lee said that there is no pro-Taiwan-independence power existing in Taiwan as China claims.
Lee also revealed that Taiwan Advocates (群策會), where he serves as a board director, is scheduled to hold a meeting today to review government policies and offer their suggestions.
The procession started at Manka Boulevard and Wanda Road and went on along Heping West Road before merging with another parade coming from National Taiwan University. The two processions then proceeded to the final congregation point near the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. When the procession reached Ningpo West Street, they used a boom truck to reach the street sign and cover it with a new one reading Democracy Road. Ningpo is a city in China.
They also changed Nanchung Street, also named after a Chinese city, to Freedom Road.
Manka Boulevard used to be called Shantou Street, after a Chinese city, but changed to its current name about three years ago.
Mark Cartwright, a 27-year-old English teacher from California, urged officials to refrain from being brash but to be swift and frank in issuing rebuttals in the face of China's "Anti-Secession" Law.
"It may be time for our members of government, led by our president, to set aside typical diplomatic inhibitions and declare as a matter of public record several truths that bear observing and acknowledging," he said.
Those truths include the fact that Taiwan is a sovereign nation, that the people of Taiwan democratically elect their president and that they serve in their nation's indigenous military, he said.
Failure by Taiwan's global neighbors to recognize these truths constitutes an irresponsible negligence that now threatens the safety and well-being of Taiwan's peoples and the stability of the East Asian region, he added.
"In the face of this present aggression by China, it is imperative that Taiwan's leaders act with immediacy to utterly dispel China's threats and false allegations," he said.
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