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Indigenous Protester Removed by Police in Hualien; Lawmaker Criticizes 'Abuse of Law'

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • An Indigenous youth protesting at an event in Hualien was forcibly removed by police.
  • The youth held signs criticizing the event and a local political figure, referred to as "King of Hualien."
  • A legislator condemned the action, calling it an abuse of law and an infringement on freedom of expression.

An Indigenous youth protesting at the "2026 Pacific Austronesian Joint Harvest Festival" in Hualien was forcibly removed by police, sparking criticism from a national legislator. The youth held banners expressing dissent, including one that read, "I don't like the Joint Harvest Festival, I don't want to be a political propaganda tool for the King of Hualien."

I don't like the Joint Harvest Festival, I don't want to be a political propaganda tool for the King of Hualien.

— Indigenous youth protesterThe message on the banner held by the youth during the protest.

The incident occurred on July 18, organized by the Hualien County Government. Police apprehended the youth, citing the presence of a "tribal knife" on his person. This action has drawn sharp condemnation from Democratic Progressive Party legislator Chen Pei-yu, who formerly operated a bookstore in Hualien.

Chen Pei-yu criticized the local authorities, stating that freedom of speech and even freedom of movement are perceived as threats by Hualien County Magistrate Fu Kun-chi. She accused Fu Kun-chi and Hualien County Commissioner Hsu Chen-wei of using local police to suppress dissent. Chen questioned whether Fu Kun-chi would resort to further actions against young people who have since voiced their support for the protester.

In Hualien, not only is freedom of speech compressed, but even freedom of movement is seen as the biggest threat and challenge by Fu Kun-chi.

— Chen Pei-yuLegislator Chen Pei-yu's criticism of the suppression of dissent in Hualien.

"People have the freedom to take to the streets to express their opinions, the freedom to protest, as long as it is legal. I hope Fu Kun-chi and Hsu Chen-wei do not harm the people's freedom. Hualien County is in Taiwan, not the People's Republic of China. Please, Fu Kun-chi, understand this and respect the people of Hualien," Chen stated.

People have the freedom to take to the streets to express their opinions, the freedom to protest, as long as it is legal. I hope Fu Kun-chi and Hsu Chen-wei do not harm the people's freedom. Hualien County is in Taiwan, not the People's Republic of China. Please, Fu Kun-chi, understand this and respect the people of Hualien.

— Chen Pei-yuLegislator Chen Pei-yu's statement urging respect for freedom of expression and Hualien's status within Taiwan.

The Hualien County Police Bureau defended their actions, claiming the youth was masked, carrying a knife, and rushed towards a crowd, necessitating his removal for safety reasons. However, Chen Pei-yu countered that ceremonial knives are no longer considered disruptive to social order under current law. She accused Fu Kun-chi of "knowing the law but breaking it" and manipulating legal frameworks. Chen urged Indigenous people to see through Fu Kun-chi's tactics, warning that the persecution of one youth could lead to the persecution of more Indigenous individuals in the future.

knowing the law but breaking it

— Chen Pei-yuLegislator Chen Pei-yu's accusation against Fu Kun-chi regarding the interpretation and application of laws concerning ceremonial knives.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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