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    Posted May 4, 2012 by
    nealmoore
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    'We are all Chen Guangcheng' protest rally outside the de facto US embassy in Taipei

    By nealmoore  |  Posted May 4, 2012  |  Taipei City, Taiwan
     

    CNN PRODUCER NOTE     nealmoore, who attended a rally at the American Institute in Taiwan on Friday, May 3, says he was happy to learn that Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng might have the opportunity to relocate to the United States. He says the rally was running on high emotions as Taiwanese people stood in front of the de-facto U.S. Embassy. 'The protesters refused to back down - they weren't anti-American, but there was definitely a sense of - "you are going to listen to us, like it or not,"' he says. He says at the time of the protest people were not aware of the safe exit of Chen Guangcheng. 'He represents so much more to so many people than the future and safety of one single man. I've seen it in the eyes of the young people here today. He represents the hope of the Chinese people worldwide,' he says
    - Jareen, CNN iReport producer

    'We are all Chen Guangcheng' protest rally outside the de facto US embassy in Taipei

     

    By NEAL MOORE

     

    TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan – Republic of China (CNN iReport)

     

    Billed as a "We are all Chen Guangcheng" Amnesty International Taiwan press conference out front the de facto United States Embassy in Taipei (American Institute in Taiwan), approximately twenty protestors wore sunglasses and braved the start of Taiwan's plum rain season to hand deliver an "Open Letter" to the United States government.

     

    The letter called on the United States and China to: not place strategic and economic interests above basic human rights; request the release of those human rights activists who support Chen Guangcheng, including He Peirong; and to provide unconditional assistance in ensuring the safety of Chen Guangcheng.

     

    Speakers included members from Amnesty International Taiwan, the Taiwan Association for Human Rights, along with a stirring speech by Taiwan's first visually impaired lawyer, Lee Bing-hung. Up until the moment Lee Bing-hung took the microphone, the protestors and the police had been relaying their respective messages back forth with loud speakers, but as Mr. Lee took his place to speak, there was an immediate silence. Mr. Lee spoke in a calm and even voice, exclaiming, "I want to claim Chen's human rights represent [the human rights of the] people in China and for all Chinese."

     

    The protestors were comprised of university students and members of various local organizations, facing off with approximately seventy police, a small number clutching riot shields. There were no arrests. Approaching the front door, members of Amnesty International Taiwan called out, "Sir, will you accept our letter?" and somebody within the Taipei City police's ranks replied, "No!" After several minutes the petition was placed on the ground, for the benefit of the press. Amnesty International Taiwan plans to send the letter via registered mail.

     

    Chen Guangcheng's future in China remains uncertain at best, although the Chinese Communist Party have reportedly opened up the possibility of allowing Chen to apply to study in the United States.

     

    Click through the following photos (tabs located directly below the video box):

     

    Tab #2 PHOTO: A Taiwan university student protestor out front the de facto US Embassy in Taipei with a placard: "ENSURE CHEN'S SAFETY", Taipei City, Friday, May 4, 2012.

     

    Tab #3 PHOTO: Taipei City Police block the front entrance of the American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei City, Friday, May 4, 2012.

     

    Tab #4 PHOTO: Yang Tsung-li, Deputy Director of Amnesty International Taiwan leads the protest press conference outside the American Institute in Taiwan, Friday, May 4, 2012.

     

    Tab #5 PHOTO: Taiwan's first visually impaired lawyer, Lee Bing-hung, addresses the crowd outside the American Institute in Taiwan, Friday, May 4, 2012.

     

    Tab #6 PHOTO: Protestors present a large placard of their "Open Letter" to the media out front the American Institute in Taiwan, Friday, May 4, 2012.

     

    Tab #7 PHOTO: Detail of the "Open Letter".

     

    Tab #8 PHOTO: Members of Amnesty International Taiwan wait for a response to their "Open Letter" outside the American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei City, Friday, May 4, 2012.

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