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Ma¡¦s security
strengthened after shoe-hurling attacks
SOLE OBJECTIVE: After a number of incidents, the
president¡¦s security personnel have been increased and nets have been prepared
to block objects hurled by protesters
By Shih Chih-ju / Staff reporter, with CNA
Police officers prepare a net to
stop shoes thrown at President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday as he attended the Taipei
Hakka Yimin Festival at the Taipei City Hakka Cultural Park.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
President Ma Ying-jeou (°¨^¤E) had yet
another close encounter with a flying shoe hurled by a protester yesterday as he
attended this year¡¦s Taipei Hakka Yimin Festival in Taipei.
Although Ma had security personnel surrounding him at the time, the shoe flew
over the guards and landed beside his foot as he was leaving the venue. He was
not hurt.
Ma also had his speech at the festival disrupted as a protester demonstrated
against the government¡¦s land expropriation through forced demolitions in Miaoli
County¡¦s Dapu Borough (¤j®H), shouting ¡§Ma, step down¡¨ before being carried away
by police officers.
In recent weeks, Ma has been dogged by protesters during his appearances and
therefore his security personnel have been increased and nets have been prepared
to block objects hurled by protesters.
On Saturday morning when Ma attended an event in Keelung marking the National
Taiwan Ocean University¡¦s anniversary, a Keelung City councilor hurled a shoe at
Ma. The shoe missed him.
That evening, when giving the opening speech for the National Games Taipei 2013
at Taipei Arena, an audience member also threw a shoe toward the stage. Again,
he was unharmed.
In related developments, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) said it is
considering setting aside an area outside the venue where its party congress
will be held next month as a place where it can hear the views of and accept
petitions from unregistered protesters.
Party officials who declined to be named said that Ma, who doubles as KMT
chairman, respects the right of people to protest and is seeking a middle ground
that will uphold such rights while ensuring that the meeting goes smoothly.
The party had planned to convene its National Congress in Taipei on Sept. 29,
but postponed it after learning that more than 40 civic groups intended to hold
a large-scale anti-government rally that day outside the National Sun Yat-sen
Memorial Hall.
The KMT later decided to move the meeting to Greater Taichung on Nov. 10.
It is now considering ways to accommodate the protesters while holding the
congress without disruptions, including setting up an area for groups without
permits to protest.
Several groups are expected to apply for protest permits to voice their
discontent and general dissatisfaction on a number of fronts, including the
economy and a controversial services trade agreement with China.
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