Taiwan Today

Former Vice President Annette Lu and Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu were among attendees at a function held Dec. 10 in the offices of now defunct “Formosa Magazine” to commemorate 30 years since the Kaohsiung Incident. “The people need to band together and fight for a better future for Taiwan,” Lu said, while admonishing the Ma Ying-jeou administration for its pro-mainland China policies that she claims threaten to destroy the fruits of Taiwan’s hard-won democracy. Lu, Chen and a number of dissidents involved in the Kaohsiung-based magazine, which was critical of the then ruling Kuomintang, were arrested and later jailed by a military court following a demonstration to mark World Human Rights Day. “I was jailed under martial law and this was unjustifiable,” Lu said. “I never regret what I did, and I am happy to see Taiwan’s democracy grow.” Lu said magazine staffers were explaining the significance of World Human Rights Day to an assembled crowd when police began making arrests. “The authorities even mobilized gangs to attack the police so there was an excuse to intervene,” she said. “Their purpose was to thoroughly crush the opposition.” Chen took the opportunity to thank the group’s defense lawyers, including former President Chen Shui-bian and former Premier Frank Hsieh, as well as the people of Taiwan for their unyielding support over the past 30 years. “We should never forget those who lost their loved ones for this cause.” On the same day in Kaohsiung, a number of pro-Taiwan independence groups staged a torch procession following the original demonstration route. Some participants shouted “Vive Formosa!” “It’s time for the republic of Taiwan!” and “Ma Ying-jeou step down!” A performance program commemorating the event also took place after the procession in front of the magazine’s former office. (PCT-JSM)