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All DPP hopefuls to participate in anti-ECFA
rally
MOBILIZATION: The DPP is calling for a nationwide mobilization ahead of the
rally, something it only does for the largest of its protests. Lee Teng-hui will
be there
By Vincent Y. Chao
STAFF REPORTER
Wednesday, Jun 16, 2010, Page 3
All five opposition party candidates for the Nov. 27
elections will be in Taipei City on June 26 for the Democratic Progressive
Party’s (DPP) protest against a trade pact with China.
Sinbei City candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), who doubles as DPP chairperson, and
Taipei City candidate Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) will each lead a separate march that
will make its way to the Presidential Office in the evening.
The two are scheduled to speak out against the government’s plan to sign an
economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) after 5pm in front of a crowd of
thousands on Ketagalan Boulevard.
The opposition party, supported by a number of pro-independence groups, has
announced that it would be stepping up a campaign against the agreement and in
support of a public referendum on the issue.
At least eight pro-independence organizations and the smaller Taiwan Solidarity
Union have expressed support for the DPP rally and pledged to mobilize thousands
of supporters.
Also expected to join in the protest is former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), an
outspoken critic of an ECFA, which he says could increase Taiwanese economic and
political dependence on China.
“Everybody that is against an ECFA is a welcome addition to this rally,” DPP
spokesperson Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) said.
The go-ahead for the protest was officially given after a routine meeting by the
DPP’s Central Executive Committee yesterday afternoon. The committee also
confirmed the date and launched a nationwide mobilization order only used for
larger protests.
That order is expected to gather up to 100,000 supporters for the protest with
an additional 50,000 to 100,000 joining in during the day, DPP Deputy
Secretary-General Kao Chien-chih (高建智) said.
The crowd will be split into two with Su leading a 3.5km march from Taipei
City’s Ding-Hao plaza along Zhongxiao E Road, Linsen S Road and Renai Road Sec
1. Tsai’s march, also an estimated 3.5km, will begin at Wanhua Station and then
go on to Monga Boulevard, Heping W Road Sec 2, Fuzhou Sreet, Roosevelt Road Sec
1 and Zhongshan S Road.
Both marches will start at 4pm and later congregate on Ketagalan Boulevard in
front of the Presidential Office at 5pm, where a number of DPP officials are
expected to make speeches.
Road traffic along the route is set to be shut down in the afternoon of June 26
and motorists are advised to avoid driving close to the area where heavy delays
are expected to occur.
During the rally, both Tsai and Su are expected to discuss the possible impact
of an ECFA on Taiwan’s economy, job market and fragile industries.
They are also set to speak out on China’s political ambitions toward Taiwan and
the government’s failure so far to disclose the content of the agreement.
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