Shih Ming-teh, leader of the "Red shirts" which protested
against President Chen Shui-bian at last year's National Day
celebrations, on Wednesday attended the ceremony once again despite
warnings from Chen that he would be arrested, according to
Taiwan-based media.
Followed by dozens of "Red shirt" protestors, Shih arrived at
the ceremonial site outside Chen's office on Wednesday morning and
took a VIP seat at the invitation of the security department.
Shih stayed in his seat for only a few minutes before leaving
the area and holding a meeting with journalists. "I have come
here," he told Taiwan's security head, "And I'm leaving if you
don't arrest me."
He ridiculed Chen Shui-bian for claiming that any "Red shirt"
protestors would be arrested if they dared to come to the
gathering.
Shih, a former chairman of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP), is a fierce critic of the current regime, labeling it
corrupt.
The "Red shirts" have demanded that Chen step down for a spate
of corruption scandals involving himself, his wife and close
associates.
(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2007)