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Memorial service
marks activist’s death
FEARLESS: A fighter for Taiwanese independence
and freedom of speech, Deng Nan-jung self-immolated in 1989 when he was charged
with sedition for his beliefs
By Rich Chang / Staff reporter
A rose and ribbons bearing
messages from supporters are tied to a rope outside the Deng Nan-jung Memorial
Museum in Taipei yesterday to mark the 23rd anniversary of the democracy
campaigner’s death by self-immolation.
Photo: Chien Jung-fong, Taipei Times
Democratic Progressive Party
acting chairperson Chen Chu, left, and former vice premier Yeh Chu-lan, right,
observe a moment of silence at an event held in Taipei yesterday to commemorate
Yeh’s late husband, democracy pioneer Deng Nan-jung.
Photo: Chien Jung-fong, Taipei Times
A sign reading “Liberty Lane” is
mounted under the official name of the street where the Deng Nan-jung Memorial
Museum is located in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: Chien Jung-fong, Taipei Times
A memorial service was held yesterday in
memory of Deng Nan-jung (鄭南榕), the late democracy advocate who set himself on
fire 23 years ago and died in defense of “100 percent freedom of expression.”
Born in Taiwan in 1947 to a family from China, Deng on numerous occasions in the
1980s overtly articulated his support for Taiwanese independence in public, at a
time when a charge of sedition was in place to indict proponents of
independence. The punishment if found guilty was death.
A follower of liberalism, Deng held a deep belief in freedom of expression. He
established Freedom Era Weekly (自由時代週刊) in 1984 in pursuit of what he called
“100 percent freedom of expression.”
On April 7, 1989, he set himself on fire as heavily armed police attempted to
break into his office, where he had locked himself up for 71 days after he was
charged with sedition for his magazine’s anti-government stance and for
publishing a draft “Republic of Taiwan constitution” in 1988.
Yesterday’s solemn service was held at the Deng Nan-jung Memorial Museum,
located in the apartment in downtown Taipei where Deng immolated himself 23
years ago.
Museum staff yesterday also hung a sign reading “Liberty Lane (自由巷)” at the
entrance to Lane 106, Minquan E Rd Sec 3 (民權東路三段106巷) where the apartment is
located, as part of its push for the city government to rename the street in
honor of Deng.
A documentary on Deng’s activities was screened during the ceremony. The film
shows Deng leading various civic movements fighting against the
then-authoritarian Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government.
Among the nearly 100 people present at the memorial ceremony yesterday was
Deng’s widow, Yeh Chu-lan (葉菊蘭), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) acting
chairperson Chen Chu (陳菊) and a number of DPP politicians.
Chen said in her speech that freedom should not be taken for granted and that
people should not forget Deng’s original intentions in pursuing democracy and
freedom for the country.
Referring to the DPP’s chairperson election, which is slated to take place on
May 27, Chen expressed the hope that whoever aspires to lead the DPP would
uphold those ideals.
Later yesterday, accompanied by supporters, Yeh and Deng’s only daughter, Deng
Chu-mei (鄭竹梅), paid tribute to Deng at his tomb in New Taipei City’s (新北市)
Jinbaoshan Cemetery.
Additional reporting by Lin Shu-hui and Wu Liang-yi
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