Indigenous Taiwanese Gather in Taipei Ahead of Reconciliation Speech

Aboriginals gathered outside the Presidential Palace in Taipei tonight, on the eve of August 1, when it is expected that Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen will deliver a speech that includes an apology to Taiwan’s Indigenous people.

Riot police set up a cordon on Ketagalan Avenue, and attempted to move the group away. “Who are you to tell us where we can stand,” an indigenous leader proclaimed. “We were here before you, and we will decide where to stand.”

The delegation of aboriginal people had begun a trek starting on July 2 from Hengchun Peninsular in the south of Taiwan, and had walked 750 kilometers to the capital in northern Taiwan. The journey took them 30 days.

Aboriginal protesters in Taipei July 21, 2016
A member of one of Taiwan’s 14 indigenous tribes holds back riot police as a group of aboriginal Taiwanese claim a spot from which to witness tomorrow’s reconciliation speech in which President Tsai Ing-wen has promised to offer an apology for past transgressions of various regimes that caused dislocation, discrimination, and exploitation against the original inhabitants of Taiwan.
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One thought on “Indigenous Taiwanese Gather in Taipei Ahead of Reconciliation Speech

  • August 1, 2016 at 7:04 pm
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    ““Who are you to tell us where we can stand,” an indigenous leader proclaimed.”
    A very stupid thing to say. Obey what the police tell you to do and do not start trouble. And put your damn shirt on when you are in public.

    Reply

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