Million Voices Against Corruption, President Chen Must Go
One Million Voices Against Corruption, President Chen Must Go (Chinese百万 人民 反 贪腐 倒 扁 运动/百万 人民 反 贪腐 倒 扁 运动, Pinyin Baĭwàn Rénmín fan Tanfu Daŏbiăn yundong, english Million Voices against Corruption, President Chen Must Go ) was one of the founders of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP ) and Taiwanese politician of the Republic of China Shih Ming - te initiated mass demonstration to move the incumbent President Chen Shui -bian to resign his office.
- 4.1 indictment of President Chen's wife
- 4.2 anniversary
Background
Taiwan's political scene is mainly divided into two coalitions. One is the pan- blue coalition consisting of the Kuomintang (KMT ) and two branching parties Qinmindang ( " People's Party " ) ( PFP) and the smaller Xindang ( " New Party " ) ( CNP). This contrasts with the pan-green coalition with the Democratic Progressive Party with the Taiwanese Solidarity Union ( TSU) and the minor Taiwan Independence Party ( TAIP ). Since taking office in 2000 as President, there have been various attempts by the Kuomintang Chen Shui -bian to impeach.
The last attempt was in 2006, when Chen and some of his family members have been charged for the purchase of shares for misappropriation of government funds. So far, the process has not ended.
The campaign " A Million Voices Against Corruption, President Chen Must Go " began in August 2006, when the former leader of the DPP, Shih Ming - te, Chen Shui- bian urged to official release. Shih gave up his position as party chairman in 1995 and left in 1999 the DPP to join the pan-blue Kuomintang. In 2001 he founded a pan- blue think tank named Mountain Alliance ( Mountain Alliance) with two other defectors to the KMT, Sisy Chen and Hsu Hsin- liang. He also ran for mayor of Kaohsiung and for Parliament, but was not elected. Since then, his political career was.
Preparation
On 10 August 2006, the planning of campaigns began led by Shih Ming - te. Shih stood ready the protesters personally through the streets to lead if he manage to collect 100 million NTD for the campaign. On August 14 they started the fundraiser and received 9.34 million NTD on the first day. On August 24, the fundraiser has ended and the next day gave Shih announced that the campaign had collected 111 211 563 NTD and he would be willing to participate in the demonstration in person.
Meanwhile, pan-green supporters criticized the campaign Shih. It letters were found by Shih, in which he asked the government for mercy as he was detained as a political prisoner. Further, it was discovered that although Shih campaigns against corruption, itself links to the founder and chairman of Tuntex Group Chen Yu- hao has, which is one of the largest and best-known embezzler of the Republic and is one among the 10 most wanted refugees of the Republic. Chen Yu- hao is known that he is against President Chen. Next, there were allegations of Shih's personal finances and this was an instrument of the People's Republic of China. This suspicion could not be substantiated.
On 5 September 2006 Shih Ming - te held a press conference to release its own answers to on statements by the Prime Minister Su Tseng- chang, since Su said " the government will not tolerate the protests ." (the government "will not tolerate the protest )
The demonstrations
First sit-ins
On 9 September 2006, first demonstrators gathered at the President's office. They formed with their bodies from the sky from a compass to show their desire for more Intigration of the people in the government. Free meals were distributed by the organizers and different programs were listed, such as children, the extracts aufführten from the Great Learning, an ancient text of Confucius. However, the organizers estimated the number of subscribers to 300,000, the local police to 90,000. Protesters dressed in red as a sign of anger, pointing their thumbs down as a sign of disapproval, shouting " Ah - Bian, 'll kick off!" (Chinese 「阿扁,下台! 」 Pinyin Ābiǎn, Xiàtái, English Ah - bian to step down! )
Various pro- blue national celebrities and pan- blue politicians ( current and former ) took part in the events, as well as citizens of the Republic of China and foreigners of all ages.
The " surround the city" protest throughout Taipei
On the night of September 15, 2006, protesters organized a " surround the city" protest (Chinese围城/围城, Pinyin Weicheng ) to stop with red light sticks to Chen about leaving the city.
Spokesman for the MRT ( Taipei ) promised that the trains would go to 1 clock at night. The next day the train posted a record of 1.51 million passengers in the night of the protest, as the stations were starting and resting point of the march. Critics argue that the protest had caused a high street pollution and a large wear of the MRT trains. These costs were passed on to the citizens, was held on whose back this protest in a row, per contra whether or.
The " surround the Iceland " protest throughout Taiwan
According to the " surround the city" protest Shih Ming - te lead a group volunteers through every city on a tour bus to participate in local demonstrations. (Chinese环岛 遍地开花/环岛 遍地开花, Pinyin Huandao Piàndì KAIHUA ) The organizers proclaimed an anti- Chen protest every day in October 2006 to have. The protests were mainly peaceful, but there were cases of violence, especially when in conflict with in pro- green supporters southern Taiwan.
The siege of the Office of the President
On 10 October 2006, the National Day of the Republic of China, which is reminiscent of the insurgency of Wuchang, opposite the protesters back into the Ketagalan Avenue, to besiege the office of the President (Chinese天下 围攻/天下 围攻, Pinyin TianXia Weigong, English defeat of the rule, siege of the Act '), without seeking prior approval from the police. Chen was disturbed at a ceremony honor for foreign dignitaries of Members of Parliament of the pan-blue coalition and there were fist fights between members of parliament of the pan-blue and pan- green coalition. As a result, President Chen said the celebration of National Day, since " everyone has different opinions and not interested ." ( Everyone Has different opinions and does not care ) and described the demonstrations as disrespectful and illegal. He he stressed his commitment to clean and transparent policy and the non- toleration of corruption within the government. During the ceremony, said the official representative of the United States by the American Institute in Taiwan asked ( the quasi U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of China, see Foreign policy of the Republic of China), the demonstrators " Polite to stay ." (Chinese有礼貌/有礼貌, Pinyin yǒu Lǐmào, english to maintain politeness )
Aftermath
Shih swore continue to demonstrate against corruption and President Chen, especially in the coming March 2008, when the presidential elections are to be held, unless Chen occurs before resigning from his office. On 14 October 2006, the Taiperer police refused another demonstration, as the demo would have been contrary on 30 October 2006 against the city law. For this purpose, Shih agrees to restrict the number of protesters at other demos.
Indictment of President Chen's wife
On November 3, 2006, Chen's wife Wu Shu-chen (吴淑珍) and three other high-ranking government officials of embezzling 14.8 million NTD ( $ 450,000 $, 330,000 euros ) a government budget using false documents. The Constitution of the Republic of China makes provision that the President may not be sued until he resigned. Chen was accused of complicity. The prosecutor had announced that if Chen will leave his position as president, he is summoned to court. His wife is the first First Lady of the Republic of China, which is accused of a criminal offense.
The pan- blue coalition announced after the interlocutory judgment that they want to have an immediate election. Also from the pan- green coalition came support for the election of the Taiwanese Solidarity Union, on the condition that " concrete evidence of the corrupt offenses are presented ." ( concrete evidence Concerning corruption is presented )
The executive committee of the DPP called for an opinion of Chen within the next three days after an internal meeting. Even within the DPP, there were discrepancies by Chen and he would as a " burden " ( liability ) refers. If Chen would resign, he would be the first president of the Republic of China, which does not originate from the DPP and was forced to resign. His Premier Annette Lu would take office.
After the promulgation of the prosecutor Shih was announced that the Depose campaign was a success and a historic high point in the history of Taiwan. He called back protesters together to Ketagalan Boulevard for a sit-in.
During a press conference on November 5, 2006 Chen dismissed the charges against his wife. He explained that the president would have advised him to post documents in this manner and that this was common practice since his six years in office. He felt outraged and betrayed, that is suddenly declared to be false. He promised that all the money was gone into diplomatic relations and not in private hands. Furthermore, he stressed that he did when he took office, his presidential salary felt to be too high and it could be reduced by half in person and this sum is still too high. So be no need to embezzle money. He also says that when his wife is found by the Judicial Yuan guilty on all charges, he would be it immediate effect resign from the office of President of the Republic of China. After Chen maintained his innocence, protested Shih Ming - te, all statements Chens his lies. Also, the KMT said that these were excuses Chen to stay in office.
The first lady Wu Shu-chen suffered during a press conference faints and is so far in the university hospital of the National Taiwan University. Again, voices are being raised that the fainting is feigned.
Anniversary
On 9 September 2007, thousands of demonstrators gathered at Ketagalan Boulevard to the campaign to commemorate one years thereafter. More than 1,000 police officers supervised the demonstration, but without having to be active. Shih Ming -teh also occurred during the anniversary campaign and encouraged the protesters, that would be their perseverance pay themselves.
International media
- September 9, 2007, CNN reporter talk about the " DEPOSE " campaign. CNN guess the number of demonstrators 30000-50000.