Pro-independence groups threaten Chiang statue suit

BAD INFLUENCE:The groups say Ko violates education law by allowing the statues at schools, where they ‘contaminate’ the minds of the students

By Jason Pan  /  Staff reporter

Activists from pro-independence organizations and political parties yesterday threatened to sue Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) over allowing statues of Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) in schools, saying they violate education laws.

Led by members of the Free Taiwan Party and the Taiwanese National Party, a group of about 40 held a rally in front of the Taipei City Government building to denounce Ko.

All statues of Chiang must be removed from schools, parks and public spaces in Taipei to ensure the healthy growth of democracy, Free Taiwan Party Chairman Tsay Ting-kuei (蔡丁貴) said, “because Chiang was responsible for the 228 Massacre in 1947, which tens of thousands of Taiwanese, and the subsequent White Terror era’s authoritarian regime.”

“Chiang and his Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) subjugated and have trampled Taiwanese for too long. It is time to end this odious cult of personality, which was imposed on us by the KMT,” he said.

Taiwanese National Party Chairman Tsua Gim-liong (蔡金龍) said he would file a lawsuit against Ko if the mayor fails to take action to remove statues of Chiang, because their presence in schools contravenes the Compulsory Education Act (國民教育法), as Chiang represents the bloody military dictatorship over the public, and their presence in schools “contaminates” the minds of young students.

The group’s leaders and speakers called on Ko to follow the example set by Chiayi Mayor Twu Shiing-jer (涂醒哲), who ordered the removal of statues of Chiang within his city after entering office in November last year.

Nation-Building Banner Team leader Yu Neng-sheng (余能生) accused Ko of preserving the legacy of what he cited historians as calling a “mass murderer,” and urged Taiwanese to stand up and tear down all statues of Chiang still left standing nationwide.

Representatives of other organizations — including the Taiwan Association for the Care of the Victims of Political Persecution During the Martial Law Period; the Alliance for Taiwan Autonomy and Independence; and the Taiwan 228 Care Association — also participated in yesterday’s demonstration.