Independence advocates and pro-China political parties held rival gatherings as US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her delegation met with Taiwanese officials at the Legislative Yuan yesterday morning.
Members of the Taiwan Republic Office and the Nation-Building Forum waved two large US national flags and shouted slogans.
They held banners that read “USA House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Welcome to Taiwan Republic,” as well as “Rejecting China,” and “Blessings for Taiwan,” as they rallied at Jinan Road next to the Che-lam Presbyterian Church next to the Legislative Yuan.
“Pelosi visiting Taiwan at this tense political time, and with the war in
Groups directed by Beijing are using violence and intimidation in Taiwan, former health minister and Chiayi mayor Twu Shiing-jer (涂醒哲) said on Thursday at a ceremony in Taipei unveiling a shrine to “Taiwanese Martyr” John Cheng (鄭達志).
Cheng, a 52-year-old sports physician, was killed while trying to stop David Chou (周文偉), 68, who allegedly opened fire on a gathering of the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, California, on May 15.
“It is with a heavy heart that we attend this commemoration. We pray for Cheng’s spirit to stay with us, to protect all Taiwanese,” Twu said.
Taiwan Republic Office director Chilly
The man accused of opening fire on a church congregation in southern California because of his political hatred for Taiwan dubbed himself a “destroying angel” in a seven-volume diary sent to a newspaper before the attack, the paper said on Wednesday.
David Chou (周文偉), 68, spent US$16.10 to mail seven thick photocopied volumes of handwritten Chinese text and a flash drive to the World Journal in the Los Angeles suburb of Monterey Park, photographs published in the newspaper showed.
The pages were titled Diary of an Angel Destroying Independence.
The diary pages were received on Monday, one day after Chou allegedly opened fire
Pro-Taiwan groups yesterday set up a “Lennon wall” at Taipei Railway Station so that people can post messages of friendship and support for Ukrainians. They also said a majority of Taiwanese are willing to take up arms against China to defend their homeland.
The advocates said they wish to see people from all walks of life, including foreigners, tourists and migrant workers, leave messages in their own language on the Lennon wall in the station’s main hall across from the ticket booths.
The groups were led by Taiwan Republic Office director Chilly Chen (陳峻涵) and Taiwan Independence Party Chairman Peter Ku (古文發),