PROTESTS:Critics questioned the depiction of social movements in the presidential inauguration parade, given the DPP’s limited role in these demonstrations
Taipei Times
Date: May 20, 2016
By: Loa Iok-sin and Abraham Gerber / Staff reporters
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday said it would remove a controversial
Protesters yesterday hold a news conference on Ketagalan Boulevard in Taipei to speak against the incoming government’s decision to showcase slogans from past social movements as part of the performance at president-elect Tsai Ing-wen’s inauguration today. Photo: CNA
section of the parade to celebrate the presidential inauguration today, following criticism from social groups.
“The performance is meant to show that we were able to bid farewell to our authoritarian past and move on to democratization, because countless people made sacrifices. We cherish the history, and we have not forgotten these brave people,” DPP News and Information Department director and Presidential Office spokesman-designate Alex
Huang (黃重諺) said. “We therefore planned to re-enact the history on inauguration day, to remind ourselves and remind everyone in this country that the democracy we enjoy today is the fruit of people’s efforts and struggles.”
Huang said the performance is to serve as a reminder to the new government that it should not disregard the public’s voice when in power.
However, following criticism by social campaigners, the DPP would only keep the parts celebrating democracy, while removing the part depicting social movements, Huang said. [FULL STORY]
