Saturday, 9 February 2008

The Renaming - Part Two

As I had mentioned, protesters and activists were far outnumbered by gawkers and the press. Of those who did care enough to show up though, quite a high ratio were interesting and unique.

The most steadfast in his calling; here he is being viewed from short range.
Almost as though he is an exhibit in a human zoo.


One lonely protester, off to the side.
Two photographers to document.



Same demonstrator, all alone.


Read my pamphlet



Seemingly alone in his support of Chiang.


Saluting the Generalissimo.


Night falls, the press is still assembled.


Last broadcast of the evening.

Friday, 21 December 2007

The Renaming - Part One

Depending upon your point of view, it was either long overdue, political grandstanding, justice finally observed or a complete sacrilege. Whatever you call it, the sun has finally and officially set on the former Chiang KaiShek Memorial Hall; now it is known, not just officially, but by the lettering on the entrance as the Taiwan Democracy Monument.

Taiwan being Taiwan, many were expecting a political clash upon the renaming. The truth is that organizers from both sides far far overestimated the movement on the grounds. The end result was that is was much ado over nothing, or at least very little. What started with a handful of protesters ended with a couple of handfuls of protesters and hundreds of police, soldiers and other crowd control folks. Without those there to keep order, nothing interesting would have come of it at all.

The protesters that showed up early were mostly there in singles or small groups; certainly there were not large mobs.

This guy seems quite put off that he is alone.
Maybe he was expecting his mates to be there to support him and their cause?

That's me in the corner.

Protesting is Lonely Business

Sunday, 4 November 2007

Muddy Basin Ramblers CD Release Party

Taiwan's David Chen and the Muddy Basin Ramblers held their CD release party on Saturday November third at the Huashan Cultural Park in Taipei. I am happy I made it, as it was a completely enjoyable evening. The music was really well done and it is hard for me to imagine anyone who wouldn't enjoy listening to the live performance. Things were done in a really friendly, low key style and it just made for an enjoyable evening of jug band music and great socializing. Thanks to Michael Turton for letting me (and many others, I am sure) know about the show through his blog.

Here are some shots from the night:
*please click on the photos to be taken to a larger, better quality image.

The Band


David Chen

Tim Hogan



Will "Slim" Thelin



Connor Prunty



Sandy Murray






TC Lin






The UN Torch Relay


It was only by chance that I found out the UN For Taiwan Torch Rally was making its way back to Taipei. Although I had plans for later in the evening, a friend and I did make our way down to the area in front of the Presidential Building to see what was going on. Unfortunately, we had to hoof it before the torch arrived, so this post is not so much a documentary of the event as a collection of snapshots of things that caught my eye before going elsewhere.

Uniformed Security


Plainclothes Security



Interested Observer
(I have come across this guy multiple times at political events)



Say Yes to Taiwan
....you know the rest



Man in Tweed



There are always a lot of smokers at rallies. Dunno why.



Banners in the Background



As the Sun Goes Down



Holding Signs



Looking On



Part of the Crowd



Greens



Green With Glasses



Crowd Control



Happy



Not So Happy



Banner



Glowsticks



Watching and Waiting