Man with ceremonial knife protests festival's political use; police defend actions

A man wearing traditional Amis attire and carrying a ceremonial knife protested at the "2026 Pacific Austronesian Joint Harvest Festival" in Hualien County, Taiwan. He held a sign opposing the festival's use for political promotion by local official Fu Kun-chi.

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

Police intervened after receiving complaints about the man, who they stated was masked and carrying a weapon in a crowded area. The man claimed he was outside the main venue and that the knife was part of his traditional dress. He alleged police mishandled him, causing his ceremonial headdress to fall.

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The police's immediate forceful action was proportionate and not improper.

Hualien County Police Chief Fan Chih-kun supported the officers' actions, deeming them proportionate for a large public event with over 10,000 attendees. The man was briefly detained and released, with the case forwarded for social order violation proceedings. The county government stated its commitment to public safety and order during the festival, while respecting citizens' rights to express opinions.

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We respect the right of people to express their opinions according to the law, but during large-scale events, the organizer still has the responsibility to maintain order and the personal safety of all participants.