We thought thE authoritarian regime was long gone.
We thought that freedom of speech had become part of our life.We were wrong.
Freedom and democracy — hard to attain, easy to crush. Over the past half a century, many have sacrificed their freedom, their youth, even their dear lives to attain these rights. However, in this past week, we have witnessed the return of the authoritarian regime, with its relentless suppression of freedom of speech and assembly. In order to “welcome” Chen Yun-lin (陳雲林), the special envoy from China, peaceful protesters who were waving national flags or banners, singing or loudly voicing their appeals were brutally “served” by the police with fists, kicks and sticks.
Society was shocked by this regression of democracy and freedom of speech. Civic groups have begun to organize themselves. University students have taken action to defend their freedom of speech.
The sit-in protest by students started in front of the Executive Yuan on Thursday night last week. Three days later, the students formed the “Wild Strawberries Movement.” Democracy is in peril, they say, and critical issues are at stake: The Assembly and Parade Law (集會遊行法) violates the Constitution and human rights have been infringed upon. They have demanded that President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Premier Liu Chao-hsuan (劉兆玄) apologize; that National Security Bureau Director Tsai Chao-ming (蔡朝明) and National Police Agency Director-General Wang Cho-chiun (王卓鈞) step down and that the Assembly and Parade Law be amended.
In support of the students’ cause, civic groups on Tuesday launched a vigil walk around Liberty Square from 6pm to 7pm every evening. The organizers are calling on people from all walks of life to participate in this civic movement to support the “Wild Strawberries” and “safeguard Taiwan.”
As democracy pioneer Chiang Wei-shui (蔣渭水) said: “Our strength has its roots in our solidarity.” To preserve our hard-won achievements in democracy, we must demonstrate the will and strength of civil society, condemn the use of state violence and defend the freedom of speech.
Jason Liu is a professor at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology.
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