In a bid to counter the mounting protests against the president, a pro-Taiwan independence group yesterday called on the public to join a "nation-building" campaign in front of the Presidential Office on Friday.
The convener of the "908 Taiwan Nation Movement," Peter Wang (王獻極) told a press conference that he expected that approximately 10,000 people would attend the event and join in a flag-raising ceremony using the group's version of a Taiwanese national flag.
Referring to the campaign launched by former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairman Shih Ming-teh (施明德) aimed at ousting President Chen-Shui-bian (陳水扁), Wang said that the campaign was clearly a push by by pro-China groups with the aim of seizing political power from a pro-localization government.
The editor-in-chief of Contemporary Monthly, Chin Heng-wei (金恆煒), who was recently beaten up by former DPP legislator Lin Cheng-chieh (林正杰) during a live TV talk show, also took part in the press conference yesterday.
"I supported the 908 Taiwan Nation Movement. I think the primary goal for building a nation is to come up with a constitution soon," Chin said.
Last month, the "908 Taiwan Nation Movement" staged a rally in front of the Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) headquarters, demanding that the party return its stolen assets to the nation.
Stressing that Friday's event was authorized through an application for the space in front of the Presidential Office, Wang said that Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) ought to guarantee their rights and assure them that they won't be disturbed by anti-Chen elements.
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