Thousands of civilians have turned out for a protest outside the Presidential Office led by the opposition Kuomintang. Heavyweights from the KMT and the smaller opposition Taiwan People's Party have rallied their supporters to stand against the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and President Lai Ching-te, who they say are using the justice system to target political opponents.
The protest comes after months of unrest, with civic groups starting mass campaigns to recall public officials from both parties. Several KMT party officials involved in the campaigns have been investigated for signature fraud. More opposition leaders, including Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu have been outspoken about the investigations, calling them political attacks.
The DPP has criticized public officials for getting involved in protests, and maintained that the investigations are a matter of the law, not politics.
Clarification: The KMT says the recalls of DPP legislators are being led by civic groups who are receiving support from the party.
The protest comes after months of unrest, with civic groups starting mass campaigns to recall public officials from both parties. Several KMT party officials involved in the campaigns have been investigated for signature fraud. More opposition leaders, including Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu have been outspoken about the investigations, calling them political attacks.
The DPP has criticized public officials for getting involved in protests, and maintained that the investigations are a matter of the law, not politics.
Clarification: The KMT says the recalls of DPP legislators are being led by civic groups who are receiving support from the party.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Thousands have turned out in the rain to rally alongside opposition lawmakers,
00:05calling for an end to what they call judicial persecution.
00:09They say the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and President Leicester
00:13are using the justice system to target political opponents.
00:30The opposition Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party have been increasingly vocal
00:37about what they say are unfair investigations into recall fraud.
00:42Several local KMT officials involved in civic-led recall campaigns
00:46have been questioned and even detained over alleged misconduct.
00:52Top KMT and TPP figures, including both party chairs,
00:56as well as KMT officials Taipei Mayor Zhang Wanan and legislative speaker Han Guo Yu,
01:01were all at Saturday's rally.
01:04The DPP has criticised the mayor and speaker for joining what it calls a politicised protest.
01:10Lai says the demonstrations show Taiwan's democracy is alive and well
01:14and the real threat of authoritarianism comes from China.