228 2004

Proud to be Taiwanese!
2004 2.28 historical hand-in-hand - million human chain in Taiwan

紀念228 扁︰守護民主守護台灣 (English reports) (steaming video highlights) (video link)

　陳水扁總統28日到基隆參加二二八紀念儀式，和舞者手牽手護台灣。

　【本報台北廿八日電】陳水扁總統上午在二二八事件57週年中樞紀念儀式致詞時強調，57年前，台灣人民勇敢反抗不公義，要求改革，今天「二二八百萬人手護台灣」活動，就是台灣人民溫暖的手與心，從南到北，串連成一道最穩固的防線，共同守護家園、守護同胞、守護民主、守護台灣，這是對二二八事件最好的紀念。

　陳總統表示，有人說二二八這個歷史傷口如果一再碰觸，會造成族群分裂、社會不安，但他不這麼認為，二二八事件的受害者不分族群，大家都是歷史的共同受害者。而二二八事件和接下來的白色恐怖高壓統治，造成許多悲劇，禁錮了這塊土地所有人的心靈。

　陳總統說，他記得去年頒發回復名譽證書時，受難者和家屬在領到證書時所流下的眼淚，看了令人心酸，那是幾十年的委屈、驚恐，那是這塊土地所有共有的痛。幸好，台灣人有包容力、復原力、反省能力，大家選擇勇敢面對，讓歷史傷口打開，得到醫治。

2004-02-28世界日報

扁李苗栗會師總統︰連成民主長城
主辦單位估計超過二百萬人站出來手牽手創台灣有史以來人數最多紀錄

　【中央社苗栗廿八日電】陳水扁總統今天下午2時28分在苗栗縣與前總統李登輝同台手牽手，和民眾共同完成「手護台灣」的創舉。陳總統表示，百萬人民手牽手，用雙手連成一道民主、和平的長城，讓全世界看到台灣人民認同、保護台灣集體意志。他期盼，「二二八牽手護台灣，三二O公投救台灣」。

　創下台灣有史以來人數最多紀錄，兼具民主運動、政治運動、社會運動的「族群大團結、牽手護台灣－二二八百萬人手護台灣活動」下午2時28分在全台灣各地同步登場。

　主辦單位表示，有超過一百二十萬位民眾報名參加這個活動，若再計算自行前往參加的民眾可能有近八十萬人，估計可能有超過二百萬台灣人民站出來手牽手，表達和平守護台灣的決心及集體意志。

　陳總統與李登輝下午在苗栗縣總指揮站與台灣五大族群原住民、閩南人、客家人、外省人、外籍人士的代表同台手牽手，現場則有來自全台灣各地的數千民眾在台下同步牽手展現愛台灣的決心。

　陳總統致詞時表示，超過百萬的台灣人民手牽手，在所愛的土地，用自己的雙手連成一道民主的長城、和平的長城，讓全世界都看到台灣人民用心愛台灣、用手寫歷史的創舉。

　面對超過百萬人民手牽手的盛況，陳總統表示，自己感受到前所未有感動，來自台灣城市、鄉村、漁港的民眾，甚至在美國的僑胞，不分黨派、不分族群、不分立場，在全世界見證下，堅定而有力的握在一起，用行動來展現認同台灣、保護台灣的集團意志。因此，自己與大家心情一樣，感到無比的驕傲。

　他說，當初要籌辦百萬人手護台灣活動時，很多人都表示懷疑，認為可能做不到，到時會「漏氣」，但是自己則相信台灣一定做得到。為此，要向台灣人民致上最高的敬意，為台灣民主、和平普世價值作出最大的貢獻。

　陳總統進一步指出，台灣人民用最溫柔、喜悅方式，向世界宣告團結一心，追求和平的共同意志，但這只是一個開始，希望今天起要把這股力量散播出去，在三二O總統大選那天，用民主理性投下公投兩張票。他說，「公投有兩張選票，兩張投圈圈，台灣就平安、公投第一次、台灣一百分」。他希望，超過百萬台灣人民今天勇敢站出來，希望三二O那天，台灣2300萬人民能利用台灣第一次公投機會，向世界展現團結心聲。

　此外，陳總統也向李登輝來致上最高敬意，他說，為了台灣前途，完全不顧自己的身體，可以看到他對台灣最深沈摯愛。 http://voiceoftaiwan3.streamguys.com/228/freaktaiwan08-baby2.wmv (video clip)

陳水扁總統２８日在基隆舉行的二二八事件５７週年中樞紀念會帶領民眾一起默哀。（鄭任南攝）

逾百萬人牽手護台灣 吳典蓉、蔡慧貞/綜合報導

昨天是二二八事件五十七周年，綠營號召全民揮別悲情，發起二二八手護台灣運動，全台超過百萬人在昨日下午二時廿八分一起手牽手以人龍貫穿台灣，齊聲高喊「台灣Yes！」、「中國No！」這次別開生面的和平嘉年華形式運動，為台灣的社會運動寫下新頁。主辦單位宣稱共有二百萬人參與此項行動，其中一百廿萬是報名的，八十萬則是自發性參加的民眾。

不同於以往二二八的紀念形式，面對今年一對一的總統大選以及三二○公投，綠營展現了最大的動員能量，並試圖將過去幾年來二二八對內反思的形式，轉化成為人民集體對抗中共的意涵。　　昨日的二二八手護台灣活動，自陳水扁總統參加基隆和平島祈福儀式揭開序幕，隨後陳總統直奔竹南，沿著活動路線向參與活動的民眾打氣，於下午二時許和前總統李登輝在苗栗縣的全國指揮中心會合。

「五、四、三、二、一」，進入倒數階段，分佈在全台各地的參與者早就集結牽手就定位，情緒迅即升溫。陳水扁總統和前總統李登輝在二時廿八分，和全台百萬人民一起高舉牽著的雙手，高呼「相信民主、堅持改革」，一起寫下歷史，兩人隨後在致詞時宣告，「牽手」活動圓滿成功。晚間則在總統府前廣場和鵝鑾鼻燈塔前各舉辦一場晚會，為手護台灣活動畫下句點。

整個活動以台灣全島為舞台，北起基隆和平島，南到屏東昌隆村，全長近五百公里，經過十八縣市、六十四鄉鎮市，影響遍及全台四分之三人口居住的地區。主辦單位由各縣市主導，以嘉年華會形式呈現地方特色，例如和平島海濱公園有蘭嶼原住民表演傳統舞蹈、苗栗縣三義木雕街有千佛護台灣、彰化舊西螺大橋上則有舞龍隊的串連、總統故鄉官田有「牽牛護台灣」等。

面對歷史性的時刻，陳總統在二二八倒數後發言表示，不分族群的百萬民眾在這塊熱愛的土地上，用雙手連成民主的長城、和平的長城，用心愛台灣，用手寫歷史，證明大家相信台灣、相信和平的決心。他並進一步要求台灣人民站出來在三二○當天投下公投的兩張票。

前總統李登輝表示，「這是我有生以來最感動的一刻」。他說，面對中國五百顆飛彈，透過此次活動可以向中國及國際社會嚴正發聲，表達台灣人民「反飛彈、愛和平」的堅定心聲，希望各界主持正義，為民主台灣主持公道。這是台灣的歷史關鍵時刻，也是邁向光明前進的時刻，希望大家站起來對抗中國。

活動結束後，主辦單位宣布有超過二百萬民眾參加活動，其中一百廿萬是報名人數，而八十萬則是自發性參加的民眾。對於昨日的動員能量，綠營人士相當滿意，堅信對陳水扁的選情有相當大的助益。

大格局的台灣人 陳水扁 2.28.04

今天是二二八事件五十七周年紀念。有人說，「二二八」是一個敏感的日子，因為在台灣，「它」一直是個敏感的話題，最好不要去碰觸。但是，身為國家的領導人，阿扁並不這麼認為。只要心中有「愛」、「寬容」和「反省」，歷史只會帶領我們前進，對於民主人權的追求、對於公理正義的追求永遠不可能後退。
對土地有愛、對台灣有愛、對人民有愛。以寬容看待歷史、以寬容對待彼此。對過去的錯誤要反省、對自己也要反省。這應該是我們面對二二八的基本態度。
前幾天，一位二二八事件受難者的女兒寫了一封信給我。她的父親在被槍決之前寫了一首詩，縫在西裝的內裡。最後一段這樣寫著：拭淚吧！為了至愛的被壓迫同胞春風微微像柔忽的歌唱在歡送我們光榮的滅亡
看了這封信，阿扁的心中幾乎不能自已。今天，沒有人願意再喚起一絲的悲情，因為真正難以磨滅的悲情，在於受難者以及家屬的心中，在於整個世代生命之火的熄滅、整個台灣希望與熱情的凍結，現在的我們何嘗能夠體會其萬分之一。
「二二八」已經超過半個世紀，其間還有更漫長黑暗的白色恐怖。然而，五十七年來的每一天，太陽依舊升起，這一塊土地上的人民在相同的太陽底下戮力營生、相互扶持，一直走到今天。過去，在長期高壓戒嚴的統治之下，「二二八」像一個禁忌的黑洞，不能被談論、甚至不能被思考，更不要說被反省。直到阿扁的前任，李登輝總統才正式代表政府向二二八事件的受難者及家屬公開道歉，也直到現在，歷史的事實才逐漸被平反，個人的名譽才被一一回復。
這樣一路走過來，我們應該說，台灣人民不是健忘，更不是愚昧麻木，而是無比的寬容、無比的勇敢。就像每一次我看到柏楊先生，聽柏老說話，宛如看見一盞歷經漫漫長夜卻永不熄滅的火光，一幅最慈悲莊嚴的勇者圖像。台灣的民族圖像、民族精神，應該就是如此。
過去四百年的台灣歷史，歷經三百多年的少數統治，荷蘭人、鄭成功、大清帝國、日本帝國、乃至於早期的國民黨政權，都曾經以少數統治多數。台灣在漫長的幽暗歲月中，不斷被搜刮、壓榨，曾經是鹿皮、茶葉的供應地，曾經是「反清復明」的基地，曾經被割讓成為殖民地，也曾經是「反攻復國」的跳板。但是，三百多年來，台灣從來都沒有主體性，台灣人民更沒有當家作主的權利。
回顧歷史是要提醒我們自己：今天台灣的一切，是無數的先賢先烈犧牲打拚而來，是台灣人民努力爭取而來，不是上天或者統治者的賜與。今天我們更應該堅定的相信，人民才是這一塊土地的主人，台灣應該永遠做自己的主人。
四百年來的台灣，一直是多元族群匯聚的社會。過去「統治者」與「被統治者」之間的矛盾，絕對不應該被歸為族群之間的矛盾。不管是原住民、客家、閩南、外省籍、或者新加入的各國籍同胞，都是台灣這個大家庭的主人。今天的台灣，沒有主客之分，也沒有「少數」或者「多數」之分，兩千三百萬人民應該是一個命運共同的「整數」。台灣是兩千三百萬人民的台灣，不是別人的附庸，不是別人的一部分。在確立台灣的主體性之後，我們應該以更大的格局來思考、並且定位台灣。
台灣位於海洋文化與大陸文化的交界，除了多元族群的資產之外，更吸納了中華文化、亞洲文化、以及歐美文化的精華，豐富了我們厚實的土壤。所以，阿扁一直認為，確立台灣的主體性，與所謂的「去中國化」並沒有必然的等同。
在國家尊嚴與主權對等的思考上，台灣不是中國的一部分。但是反過來講，以歷史、血緣、文化的角度來看，「中國」與「中華文化」確實是台灣的一部份，就像我們主張：台灣的經濟發展必須確保主體性，在「深耕台灣、佈局全球」的思維之下，中國市場也是台灣經濟全球佈局的一部份。
這是台灣應有的大格局，是海洋國家應有的開闊，而不自我設限，是台灣人民應有的自信，而不是自滿。在「二二八」周年的今天，我們應該有這樣的心胸，共同以「愛」、「寬容」和「反省」，來守護台灣、守護家園、守護未來。兩千三百萬人民，已經沒有「新台灣人」、「舊台灣人」的分別，我們都是台灣過去、現在和未來的主人，都應該彼此信任、相互勉勵，做一個「大格局的台灣人」！

    video 二二八 concert in Chia-yi

陳總統基隆和平島祈願盼大家張開雙手 中央社 2004.02.28 中國時報
    　陳水扁總統今天上午出席在基隆市和平島舉行的「二二八手護台灣晨曦祈福會」，陳總統表示，手護台灣是跨越族群不分黨派的活動，台灣的五大族群就像是人的五隻手指頭，唯有張開雙手，才能與其他的人牽手在一起。他並引述電影「臥虎藏龍」的台詞說，「把手握緊什麼都沒有」。

    　今天上午的和平祈願會先後有大型鼓陣、大型神將陣表演，各宗教界代表包括靈鷲山心道法師等也到場參加祈福，陳總統到達時，受到熱烈歡迎。總統致詞時強調，二二八手護台灣的活動，希望大家站出來，展現對台灣的愛。

    　陳總統表示，牽手是簡單與溫暖的動作，要向全球的民眾表示我們愛台灣，我們要和平。民眾用牽手的形式，表達集體意志，在許多國家都曾經成功的舉辦過，今天族群大團結，牽手護台灣參加，有外國朋友與六代同堂參加，甚至離島也有民眾一起，這是跨越族群不分黨派的活動。

    　總統強調，台灣沒有少數或多數，台灣是一個整數。在電影「臥虎藏龍」裡面有一句對白，「把手握緊什麼都沒有，把手張開，就可以擁有。」我們的五隻手指頭，就象徵五大族群，只有把手張開，才可以握緊對方的手。

    　他指出，全世界都在矚目台灣牽手護台灣的演出，阿扁將會和大家一起牽手護台灣。歌手「阿妹」張惠妹有一首歌「牽手」，歌詞中說，「牽手、牽手、我的熱情全年無休，牽手、牽手、我隨時隨地有空」。希望大家歡歡喜喜，快快樂樂來牽手以護台灣，手護台灣到永久。

    　陳總統致詞之後，也與其他的宗教領袖一起敲響三聲和平鐘聲，並施放和平信鴿，象徵祈禱國運昌隆、天佑台灣，和平到來。

    　全場民眾並且情緒高昂高喊「阿扁當選」，同時也試著先牽手，為下午的手護台灣拉開序幕。

200萬人今手護台灣舉世注目    台灣的地位將不一樣〔記者李欣芳╱綜合報導〕

　二二八百萬人手護台灣運動今天盛大登場，今天下午二時二十八分由基隆和平島到屏東昌隆村以縱貫線為主手牽手連成一線，行動總指揮李前總統登輝昨天說，這是台灣四百年來第一次有人民敢站出來，也是具體民主的表現，今天二二八手護台灣活動的空前盛大，世界各國將對台灣刮目相看，台灣的世界地位也會不一樣。

　陳水扁總統及李前總統昨天也一致呼籲台灣人民今天一起來參加牽手，共同手護大家的台灣。

　手護台灣運動主辦單位透露，參與的人數有機會破二百萬人，李前總統對海內外台灣人的熱烈響應十分欣慰。

　陳水扁總統昨晚則於花蓮演說時向連宋喊話，他強調，台灣全民是命運共同體，如果連宋愛台灣，希望族群大團結，今天就應該站出來，參加百萬人心手相連手護台灣活動，一起手牽手。

　手護台灣大聯盟總指揮黃昭堂表示，未報名而有意參加的民眾，可就近到各縣市路段參與，中午時分即開始集結，一時起預演，二時二十八分扁李二人與各縣市參與民眾將牽手南北大連線，將活動推向最高潮。他也呼籲，當天正在駕駛車輛的駕駛人，可以在下午二時二十八分一起按喇叭，發出和平之聲。

　手護台灣運動除全台近五百公里手牽手的高潮活動外，今天從上午基隆和平島的宗教祈福活動，到入夜屏東鵝鑾鼻的愛與和平晚會，均將熱鬧登場，扁李二人今天中午將分別由北苗、南苗指揮所搭車出發，一路前往台肥壘球場的苗栗總指揮中心會合，為彰顯二二八手護台灣運動族群大團結的意義，陳水扁總統與李前總統在苗栗總指揮中心同台時，將與五大族群代表（河洛人、外省人、原住民、客家人、外籍新娘）及各界菁英共一百五十人盛大手牽手，圍成台灣地圖形狀。

　 手伸太平洋傳達心聲
　黃昭堂表示，無法趕回台灣親自參加活動的加拿大台僑昨天向他建議，希望台灣的手牽手最前端或最後端一人的手能伸入太平洋，透過海水的傳達，傳到彼岸，讓大家心手相連，黃昭堂決定採用，將以今天在基隆和平島最北端手牽手的第一人，將手伸入太平洋，透過水傳達台灣人的感情。

　聯盟總幹事李應元表示，這次活動在各縣市推出各項魅力點設計，如離島澎湖的將軍村，佔全村十分之三人口的三百五十位村民將推出「海上將軍牽手護台活動」，沿著碼頭共同手牽手。金門也有鄉親代表來台共同牽手。

　黃昭堂表示，這次活動獲海內外台灣人的熱烈回響，顯示台灣人面對中國的壓迫鬱卒已久，不分族群紛紛站出來。

　主辦單位提醒今天參與的民眾，不要忘了帶「三機一椅」，即手機、收音機、照相機及休息用輕便椅。為便於參與民眾與苗栗總指揮中心取得連繫，屆時同步牽手，主辦單位已協調綠色和平等三十多家電台連線轉播。

http://voiceoftaiwan3.streamguys.com/228/03011.wmv (streaming video)

站出來、站起來，為守護台灣，手牽手！
　二次戰後，台灣歷史的悲劇性開端肇因於一九四七年的二二八事件。戰後的國民黨統治，藉由二二八事件屠殺菁英、迫害志士；並繼而以戒嚴體制壟控台灣，施行白色恐怖，為其一九四九年從中國流亡來台的政權鋪路，遂行其黨國化意圖。

　美國駐台武官柯喬治以「被出賣的台灣」比喻這樣的歷史。而因祖國的迷障而遭遇政治禍害的台灣人民，在二二八事件的夢魘裡，經歷了與戒嚴同期間約四十年的精神禁錮，才在一九八○年代末期展開事件的追索，並且在追索裡實踐台灣的民主化運動。

　回顧從一九七九年美麗島高雄事件作為與二二八事件不同分水嶺的台灣社會發展進程：美麗島事件相對於二二八事件的壓抑，是民主運動的昂揚。一九八○年代迄今，台灣社會藉著這樣的昂揚精神，不斷挑戰國民黨的統治體制，促成國會全面改選、總統直選，並於李登輝在國民黨的十二年維新體制後，取代國民黨，而於二○○○年，由民進黨陳水扁當選總統。

　政黨輪替執政原應是處理戰後國民黨在台灣統治歷史罪責的最和平方式，如再往前追溯李登輝在總統與國民黨主席十二年任期致力推動的台灣化，將可為一九四九年從中國大陸流亡來台的新住民提供認同台灣的基礎。二二八事件以及白色恐怖戒嚴時代，因統治之惡而形成的「加害者」身分，也會因為台灣的民主化與新認同而獲得紓解和救贖。

　因國民黨以外來統治肆虐而形成的「被害者」，期望於台灣化和民主化國家的慈悲與寬容，一向對歷史的反思都持有「記憶而不是遺忘」和「寬恕而不是遺忘」的觀點。長期以來，抵抗國民黨統治時期之惡的政治改革運動，不斷召喚跟隨國民黨流亡來台的新住民，期待共同建構一個正常國家，一個民主化自由化的國家。

　國民黨在蔣體制時期從未為二二八事件向被屠殺、迫害的台灣人民道歉，而是由李登輝出面作替代的道歉，陳水扁出任總統後，也多次為二二八事件的歷史代表政府向受難者家屬進行必要的安慰，但這樣的替代道歉和安慰，似乎都只是台灣人片面的作為，國民黨的外來統治權力意識裡，從來沒有真誠的反思。

　政黨輪替的開創性機會，因國民黨對統治權力獨佔意圖的失落而蓄意破壞。中國威脅論成為國民黨復辟化的奧援。中國的國民黨的統治意識，毫無歷史罪責的自我反省；未真正立足台灣，對於國家條件因主張中國論而殘餘化；獨占統治意識強烈而缺乏對民主化的正面態度；泛中國國民黨分裂的國、親、新三黨勢力，重拾國民黨蔣體制，回到過去，在未清洗的歷史裡，圖謀建構還魂的黨國體制。

　在這樣的時際，在二二八事件五十七週年的時際，台灣社會反對黨國化復辟，反對國民黨以中國威脅論影響台灣朝向正常國家發展的力量，號召百萬人手護台灣，在二二八這一天的午後二時二十八分，從北台灣的基隆到南台灣屏東，以手牽手形成心的手鍊，向世界展現台灣的意志和感情，也向中華人民共和國展現台灣的聲音。

　特殊的歷史構造讓二十世紀的一百年裡，台灣分別被日本殖民統治、被國民黨的外來統治權力意識類殖民統治。外來統治權力以威脅和利誘鞏固其統治體制。二二八事件的噩夢，就是血腥的例子。成為「被害者」的台灣人民，因為事件而長期被壓抑；被統治權力挾持而成為「加害者」的團塊症候群新住民，也是另一種「被害者」，也長期被壓抑。

　期待走出殘餘中國，走向民主化、建構一個正常國家的人民，應該珍惜台灣國家重建和社會改造的機會，記取二二八事件的歷史，守護台灣這個新興民主國家。被壓抑的「被害者」和被壓抑，事實上是被國民黨外來統治意識挾持的「加害者」，都應該為台灣挺身而出，在二二八的這一天，站出來、站起來，手牽手。

　「加害者」夢魘將因認同台灣，追尋民主化的正常國家建構，而得到救贖；「被害者」的夢魘也將因自我重建而得以復元。二二八守護台灣的百萬人牽手活動，將形成新的精神指標，和一九八○年代末期波羅的海三小國一樣，希望的手鍊形塑出和平的光彩。這將不只是政黨的事務，而是台灣人民共同的事務，從北地到南方，台灣人民站起來、站出來。

　每一雙手，即使柔弱的手，也將因手牽手而變得堅強。台灣人民必須藉此讓自己守護台灣的意志和感情被看見；台灣人民也必須藉此讓自己守護台灣的聲音被聽見。要走出悲情的歷史，要邁向重建的年代，要讓柔弱的手因團結而變得堅強。

　起來，被壓抑的台灣人民。不論你是什麼樣的族群，不論你是先來或後到，不論你屬於什麼政黨，不論你是男或女，不論你老與少，不論你何種職業……，從被壓抑中站起來、站出來，一個自由的、民主的國家共同體，需要對國家權利與責任有所體認與承擔的人民。

　二二八的今天，站出來、站起來，為守護台灣，手牽手。

回顧之夜晚會李登輝：愛護台灣 320全民去公投 3/6/04

〔自由時報記者李欣芳╱台北報導〕昨晚在一場二二八手護台灣回顧之夜晚會中，號召二二八手護台灣運動、改寫二二八歷史的李登輝前總統表示，由二百五十萬人參與的這項運動，為台灣人創造集體的記憶，讓我們充滿希望，這個沒有衝突、瑕疵甚至沒留下垃圾的運動，證明台灣已是一流的文明國家。

　李登輝強調，大家要把手護台灣的感動帶回去，三二○時一起打拚，在屆時辦公投時站出來投票，並讓阿扁總統連任成功，「台灣鬥陣來拚」！

　二二八你去牽手了嗎？李登輝學校校友挺扁助選團與李友會全國總會昨晚在大安森林公園音樂台舉辦「分享創造歷史的喜悅│二二八牽手嘉年華精彩鏡頭分享之夜」，音樂台擠進爆滿民眾，晚會播放李校校友及各地民眾拍攝的許多手護台灣活動照片及錄影帶，顯示當天活動的空前盛況，畫面溫馨而感人。

牽手成問候語
　台聯市議員趙天麟表示，高雄人熱情參與手護台灣運動，當天高雄路段爆滿，甚至排到第十排，最近高雄民眾見面第一句話不是「你吃飽了嗎？」而是「你去牽手了嗎？」

　李登輝的女兒李安妮也表示，上週台灣最流行一句話是「你要去哪裡？」本週最流行的一句話則是「你有沒有去牽手？」她當天在苗栗路段看到台灣民眾以各種裝扮參與活動，展現台灣的主體性，尤其讓她感動的是，在台肥壘球場看到總統府資政彭明敏與李登輝、陳水扁二位前後任總統，這三人曾在選舉時對立的，但選完卻一起手牽手。

　法官出身的葉賽鶯透露，二二八當天她在ＳＯＧＯ百貨前手牽手，身旁與她一起手牽手的是一位七十多歲老婦人，兩點二十八分牽手時，她發覺老婦人淚流滿面，原來老婦人是二二八受難者家屬，直呼「怎會有今天！」

牽手令人動容
　手護台灣大聯盟總指揮黃昭堂表示，他活到七十多歲，有幸參與二二八這場突破二百萬人的活動，何其幸福，有機會在三二○投下首次的公投票。

　李登輝上台致詞前，在台下與所有民眾一起手牽手，他致詞時表示，看到手護台灣運動的畫面讓他也很想流淚，台灣的主體性在二二八當天已完全展現。他說，退休後他已是一介平民，要讓老百姓好好發聲，手護台灣運動就是要讓世界了解台灣人是世界上了不起的文明人。

.... video link

National Identity Grows in Taiwan

Trend Shows Economic Ties To China May Not Propel Goal of Political Unity

By JASON DEAN Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL 3/1/04 Page one story

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan's presidential race is putting a spotlight on the growth of a unique Taiwanese national identity -- a trend that suggests the island's accelerating economic integration with China isn't necessarily bringing the two sides closer to Beijing's goal of political unification.

The burgeoning sense of national identity was on vivid display Saturday, as more than one million of Taiwan's 23 million people took part in a human chain stretching nearly 500 kilometers from the island's northern tip to its southernmost point. The rally, which domestic media said was the biggest in Taiwan's history, was organized by backers of President Chen Shui-bian to show support for Taiwanese sovereignty and opposition to China's buildup of hundreds of missiles aimed at the island.

Mr. Chen is running for re-election in a vote to be held for March 20. Veronica Wang, a spokeswoman for the group that organized the rally, said about 1.5 million people registered to take part, and an unknown number of others showed up Saturday without having registered.

Taiwan and China have been ruled separately since the Kuomintang, or Nationalist Party, fled to the island in 1949 amid a civil war with the Chinese communists. But Beijing continues to claim sovereignty over Taiwan, insisting that the island is part of "one China" and must eventually reunify with the mainland. China's government has repeatedly threatened to use force to prevent formal independence for the island.

For decades, the Kuomintang, or KMT, instilled in Taiwanese a similar belief that Taiwan is part of China, and that its inhabitants are therefore Chinese. But with the flourishing of the island's democracy since the early 1990s, and the advent of generations of younger people who generally have no direct, personal connection to China, a sense of separate Taiwanese identity has emerged. That separate identity presents a growing challenge to China's efforts to ensure that Taiwan eventually comes under its control. And it poses a test for the U.S. government, which has pledged to help protect Taiwan if China were to attack, and is intent on avoiding any conflict.

The unique Taiwan identity is evident in the actions and statements of Mr. Chen, who has stated repeatedly that Taiwan and China are "one country on each side" and has reinforced that message through measures such as adding "Taiwan" to the cover of the island's passports, below the island's official name, "Republic of China." But it has also found popular expression in numerous ways, such as the increasingly widespread use of the Fukienese dialect, known on the island as "Taiwanese," instead of the Mandarin Chinese that is China's national language.

Trade, Investment Ties

Taiwanese identity has gained strength even as trade and investment across the Taiwan Strait have exploded. Taiwanese businesses have poured tens of billions of U.S. dollars into China during the past 15 years. The island's vaunted technology companies now rely on China's cheap labor to manufacture a substantial portion of the computers, cellphones and other gadgets they sell around the world. Altogether, as many as one million Taiwanese work or study in China. And China accounts for more than one-third of Taiwan's exports, making it the island's biggest export market.

Public-opinion surveys show Taiwanese identity has grown substantially during the past decade. According to a long-term poll by the Election Study Center at Taipei's National Chengchi University, the percentage of respondents identifying themselves as solely Taiwanese rose to 41.5% as of last June, from 17.3% when the poll was first conducted 11 years earlier. Those identifying themselves as only Chinese dropped to 9.9% from 26.2% in the same period. Those saying they were both Taiwanese and Chinese fell slightly, to 43.8% from 45.4%.

A separate poll last month of potential voters in the presidential election, by Taipei-based Gallup Market Research Corp., found 46.1% of respondents identified themselves as Taiwanese, 43.7% said they were both Taiwanese and Chinese, and 4.4% said they were Chinese only.

Many participants in Saturday's rally said their goal was to attract global recognition of Taiwan's separate identity. In Pingtung, the island's southernmost county, participants linked hands in front of a giant sign reading "Let the world see Taiwan." In Taipei, thousands gathered wearing hats and carrying signs that read "Yes, Taiwan!"

"We're uniting to protect Taiwan," said Wu Lih-ching, a 53-year-old construction engineer. "We want to say no to China and say yes to Taiwan." Another participant, 40-year-old education researcher Wu Kuo-liang, said, "We hope the world is watching."

Mr. Chen's attempts to marshal this growing identity might not be enough to win him re-election. The latest poll by his Democratic Progressive Party, done in late February, showed Mr. Chen ahead of the KMT-led opposition ticket by slightly less than two percentage points. But other independent polls show the KMT candidate, Lien Chan, with a slight lead.

Mr. Lien says he wants to put aside disputes with China over Taiwan's sovereignty, and says Mr. Chen's focus on the issue has prevented progress on key economic issues, such as ending a five-decade ban on direct air flights and shipping across the Taiwan Strait. Many voters say they are focused less on the issue of Taiwan's identity and more on the island's economy, which has slumped for much of Mr. Chen's four-year tenure but in recent months has recovered sharply.

Still, the growth of Taiwanese identity is unlikely to stop even if Mr. Chen loses. For one thing, the KMT, which until the late 1980s banned public support for Taiwanese independence, has been forced by the current race to alter its position. Top KMT leaders have said in recent months that they aren't necessarily opposed to eventual independence and that they object to being labeled "reunificationists."

Support of Young Voters

Taiwanese identity seems to be most popular among the young. Polls have frequently shown Mr. Chen outpolling his opponents among potential voters aged 20-29, even when he is trailing overall.

Johnson Huang, a 31-year-old engineer at a big Taiwanese maker of notebook computers, is among Mr. Chen's younger supporters. The Taipei resident attended Saturday's rally with his 68-year-old father, Huang Jin, who came to Taiwan from mainland China with Chiang Kai-shek's KMT in the late 1940s. The younger Mr. Huang said his family has long supported the KMT, but he plans to vote for Mr. Chen. "I consider myself Taiwanese," he said.

Two million rally for peace

The organizers of the 228 Hand-in-Hand rally said that the event was a stunning success, and highlighted the nation's desire for peace
By Chang Yun-ping STAFF REPORTER , IN MIAOLI Sunday, Feb 29, 2004,Page 1

At least 2 million people yesterday joined together to form an island-long human chain to protest China's military threats and to give the world a clear message that the people of Taiwan want peace, not war, organizers of the rally said.

If the number is accurate, it would set a new record for the size of a demonstration in Taiwan. The participants of the human chain linked hands at 2:28pm yesterday and chanted slogans such as "Love Peace. Oppose missiles."

President Chen Shui-bian ( 陳水扁 ) and former president Lee Teng-hui ( 李登輝 ), the initiator of the rally, yesterday linked hands in Miaoli County as a symbol of their joint effort to promote Taiwan's independence.

"More than 1 million people have joined hands together to form a democratic great wall. This is a historic attempt by the people to show the world their love for Taiwan and the power that people have to write history with their own hands," Chen said at the rally yesterday.

Chen sent his regards to the participants, saying they had made this event possible, despite the doubts of some that the event would be successful.

Chen said the people of Taiwan had used the mildest, most joyful and dignified way to proclaim their solidarity and determination for peace to the world.

"However, this is just the beginning. We must continue our effort and cast referendum ballots on election day to maintain Taiwan's security," Chen said.

Lee said "seeing a big spectacle like this, in which more than 1 million people have come out to show their love for Taiwan, is the most touching moment I have ever witnessed in my life."

"Such is the power of the people, and this is a victory for the people of Taiwan," Lee said.

Although he appeared to be ailing slightly, Lee said that "the success of the 228 Hand-in-Hand Rally is the people's affirmation of Taiwan's national identity and a rejection of China's missile threats."

The massive human chain began in the north at Hoping Island near Keelung, and stretched 500km through 18 cities and counties in western Taiwan, ending at Changlung in Chiatung township, Pingtung County. The characters for "Hoping" and "Changlung" mean peace and prosperity.

Analyzing the event's influence on Chen's re-election prospects, Cheng Wen-tsan ( 鄭文燦 ), director of the public affairs department at the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) campaign headquarters, said the extraordinary spectacle of the event would touched the hearts of many Taiwanese people, and these feelings will be trans-formed into support for Chen in the election.

"This is also a very big victory for the DPP, as the party has emerged to represent mainstream opinion, as shown by the success of this massive rally. At this moment, we want to ask where the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) has been?" Cheng said.

The event also attracted numerous foreign reporters to Taiwan to cover the human chain.

Estonian reporter Mart Laane-mets said "through the event, people feel more and more that they are the bosses of the country, not politicians nor some party."

"When I saw a sign in the rally which said `In 1991, Bush says yes to Baltic States, in 2004, Bush says yes to Taiwan,' I, as a citizen of Estonia, felt very touched and proud and I hope the Baltic experience will be successful for Taiwan as well," Lannemets said.

On Aug. 23, 1989, the three Baltic states, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia formed a 2 million-person human chain covering 600km to protest the former Soviet Union's occupation. Following the human chain protest, the three countries successfully held referendums to declare their independence from Russia.

Taiwan's Chen Leads Huge Human Chain Against China

Reuters Saturday, February 28, 2004; 5:15 AM By Alice Hung

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian and up to 2 million of his supporters formed a human chain down the length of the island Saturday in its biggest ever protest against China.

The day-long demonstration to oppose China's deployment of nearly 500 missiles aimed at Taiwan is seen as Chen's best chance of rallying support for his re-election in a March 20 vote.

After saying prayers and releasing a flock of white doves in the morning, the protesters raised joined hands and shouted "Yes Taiwan," "Oppose Missiles" and "Love Peace" down the 500-km (310 mile) west coast of Taiwan.

"We formed a great wall of democracy and a great wall of peace," Chen told thousands of cheering supporters waving flags and blowing horns in the northern county of Miaoli.

"We showed the world our determination to recognize Taiwan and protect Taiwan," Chen said, flanked by former president Lee Teng-hui, who backs his re-election.

The rally ended peacefully.

Chen's campaign is centered on a controversial referendum to be held during the election that will ask voters to back greater missile defenses against China.

Beijing, which says Taiwan is a renegade province that must be reunited, by force if necessary, views the referendum as a dry run for a vote on independence that it says could lead to war.

The "Hand in Hand Taiwan" rally was inspired by a human chain in the Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania in 1989, when more than two million people called for independence from the Soviet Union.

Organizers estimated close to two million people took part in the event, which also marked the anniversary of a massacre of thousands of people killed when the Nationalist troops crushed islandwide rioting which broke out on February 28, 1947.

Wednesday, Li Weiyi, spokesman for China's policymaking Taiwan Affairs Office, said it would be wrong to use the 1947 uprising to stir up confrontation between native Taiwanese and mainland immigrants or create tension across the Taiwan Strait.

IDEA OF INDEPENDENCE

"The DPP wants to reinforce the idea of Taiwan as an independent country against China," said Chao Chien-min, a political science professor at the National Chengchi University, referring to Chen's Democratic Progressive Party.

"The DPP aims to consolidate its core pro-independence supporters, who have been hit by the economic downturn and are less certain about voting for Chen this time," he said.

Taiwan split from China after a civil war ended in 1949, when Chiang Kai-shek's defeated Nationalist government retreated to the island. The Nationalists ruled Taiwan for more than five decades, until they were ousted by Chen in 2000.

Opinion polls show Chen and Nationalist candidate Lien Chan locked in a close race. A survey of 1,161 voters by the mass circulation United Daily News found 40 percent would vote for Lien against 37 percent for Chen.

"We fought hard for our democracy. If we don't stand up and let our voice be heard, China will not take us seriously. Our democracy will amount to nothing," said businessman Chang Ping-chen, who joined the chain in Taipei with 20 family members, including his 65-year-old father and two-year-old daughter.

Lien and tens of thousands of his supporters held a blood drive to commemorate the day, also known as Taiwan's Peace Memorial Day. They hugged each other at 2:28 p.m, to mark the anniversary of the "2-28 incident."

Remembering 228: Human chain bears message of peace

DAY TO REMEBER: Joining 100 couples in a Mandarin love song, Premier Yu Shyi-kun called on voters to treasure the historic opportunity of the nation's first referendum
By Ko Shu-ling
Taipei Times STAFF REPORTER , IN TAICHUNG AND CHUNGHUA COUNTIES Sunday, Feb 29, 2004,Page 3

About 100,000 people in Chunghua County and another 25,000 residents of Taichung County took part in yesterday's island-long human chain rally as a peaceful means of protest against China's military threat.
The highlight in Taichung was some 100 couples singing a famous Mandarin love song with Premier Yu Shyi-kun. In Chunghua County, participants carrying chrysanthemums gathered along the No. 1 Highway.
Chunghua County has earned its reputation for being at the heart of the nation's flower trade, and chrysanthemums are one of the county's biggest money-making products.
Speaking under the scorching sun in Taichung City yesterday after-noon, Yu told the couples holding hands with him and his wife, Yang Bao-yu (楊寶玉), on Fu-in Road that he hoped Feb. 28 would from now on become a wonderful day to remember instead of a tragic day to mourn.
"The reason we're gathering here today is to let the world hear our voices," Yu said. "We'd like the international community to know that while we express our opinions in such a peaceful manner, China has over 500 ballistic missiles targeted at us and the number continues to grow."
Yu called on the 100 couples to also support the nation's first national referendum, which is scheduled to be held in tandem with the presidential election on March 20.
"The precondition for couples like you to be happy is that the nation has to be safe," Yu said. "Please treasure the historic opportunity of the first referendum. Cast your ballot and tell China and the world that you want peace and a life that is free from fear and intimidation."
Yu then rushed to Tatsoon township in Chunghua County, which was the midpoint of the 500km-long human chain.
Beating a peace gong provided by Tienho Temple, Yu, accompanied by Chunghua County Commissioner Wong Chin-chu ( 翁金珠 ), said that he hoped the sound of the gong would bring peace to the nation and that the sound of peace would spread from central Taiwan to the entire nation and then further to the world.
"The voice of one person, or 100 or 1,000 people, may sound small, but it makes a whole lot of difference if 1 million people come out to tell China that we want peace and we love this land," he said.
Citing the example of his walking out of the legislature on Tuesday, Yu took the opportunity to highlight the necessity and importance of legislative reforms.
"That incident showed the poor quality of lawmakers' questioning skills and the desperate need for reforms of the lawmaking body," Yu said.
He also called on the public to help President Chen Shui-bian ( 陳水扁 ) win his re-election bid.
"Pushing for reforms is like growing a tree," he said. "Four years are simply not enough to push for reforms. Please support President Chen and Vice President Annette Lu ( 呂秀蓮 ) in their re-election bid, so they can continue their unfinished mission."
Mark Cartwright, a 26-year-old English teacher from California, said that he came to yesterday's rally because he wanted to support "our president" and to support the society that is growing in this country that promotes freedom and diversity.
"This is an unprecedented event in Taiwan. I'm very happy to take part in Taiwan's history and culture and I hope that this momentum carries over to the election," he said.
Cartwright said that he respected what Chen has done for this country.
"[I respect] the sacrifices that he and our vice president have made for this country. I think that they can make many more positive reforms," he said.
Cartwright said that the referendum was bound to be controversial, because it was the nation's first on a national level.
"I believe that referendums are very important for democracy and I believe all of these questions will be worked out naturally," he said. "I support the referendum process as giving the people one more check over the government. Any democratic country will be a good example to show you why the people should have more control over the government."
Kelley Deon, a 30-year-old Canadian who has been teaching English in Chunghua for three years, however, expressed a different opinion.
"I think it's dangerous," he said. "I don't think things are that bad here."
Deon said he was afraid that Taiwanese might get what they want in the end, but would have to face some serious consequences.
"Not military but economical consequences," he said. "I think it's kind of scary and dangerous, but I still support it. I think that they have to try."

Over 1.5 million link hands for Taiwan

'As a Taiwanese, I feel incomparably proud,' announces President Chen

2004-02-29 / Taiwan News, Staff Reporter / By Dennis Engbarth

More than a million and a half people gathered yesterday from north to south under a sweltering sun to express to the world their desire "to protect Taiwan" and "strive for peace and democracy" in the biggest demonstration ever held on the island.
Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), 83, described the moment at 2:28 p.m. when he, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and at least two million other people in Taiwan lifted and joined hands as the "most moving moment" of his life.
For his part, Chen declared that "as a Taiwanese, I feel incomparably proud."
The long-planned "Hand in Hand to Protect Taiwan" human chain, which formed and dispersed virtually without a hitch, was timed to mark the 57th anniversary of the February 28th Incident of 1947 when over 10,000 Taiwanese were killed by Kuomintang military forces suppressing a spontaneous uprising.
Mention of the incident was a taboo during the period of martial law rule, which was lifted by the KMT government in July 1987, and long a focus of opposition to the KMT and a source of resentment between the "mainlanders" who came to Taiwan with the Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) regime and the Taiwanese victims.
But the atmosphere in Miaoli, where the keynote ceremony of the event was held, and the rest of the island was far more like a democratic carnival than a political rally.
Over 10,000 people began to pour into a field near the Taiwan Fertilizer factory in Miaoli City and were entertained by performances including indigenous Bunung singers, a young Hakka dance troupe and flamenco dancers interspersed with simulcasts of activities in other cities and counties.
Lee and Chen met there at around 2:15 p.m. after separately driving to the site in uncovered red jeeps, waving to lines of people several persons deep who were waving DPP and Chen campaign flags along the entire route.
Standing with Chen and Lee on the stage, backed by the slogan "Ethnic Solidarity, Hands Linked to Protect Taiwan," were representatives from all of Taiwan's Hokhlo, Hakka, mainlander, aborigine and foreign ethnic groups, including a woman from Changsha, China, who is married to a Taiwanese.
The emotional peak of the event was reached when Chen and Lee, together with well over a million people across the island, joined and lifted their hand after a one-minute nationally broadcast countdown at 2:28 p.m..
The participants, many of whom were in tears, shouted slogans "love peace, oppose missiles," "unity among ethnic groups," and "join hands to protect Taiwan."
"The Taiwan people have used the most simple, solemn and sacred method of hands linked in hand to express to the world their resolve to protect Taiwan's sovereignty and democratic development, economic prosperity and lasting peace in the Taiwan Strait," Chen said.
"As one of the Taiwan people, I know my the feelings in my heart are the same as you, incomparably proud!" Chen declared.
Chen said that by linking and lifting their hands, the Taiwan people had used their two hands to "form a democratic Great Wall" and "let the world see the collective will and identity of the Taiwan people to protect Taiwan."
"People from Taiwan's cities, countryside, fishing ports and even compatriots from the United States, without regard for party affiliation, ethnicity or political stands, are holding each other in a powerful grip with the world as witness," Chen said.
Chen said that the Taiwan people had used "the softest and most joyful method to show to the world their unity and common desire to strive for peace."
Chen expressed the hope that the participants "can disseminate this force and on March 20, use democracy and reason to cast two votes" in the scheduled peace referendum to be held in tandem with the presidential election the same day.
Lee described the moment as the "most moving in Taiwan history " in his life and as the time when "the Taiwanese people reaffirmed their national identity and refusal of China."
"This is the power of the people and Taiwan's hope," said Taiwan's first locally-born head of state.
After the brief speeches by Chen and Lee, the event concluded with a singing of "Believe in Taiwan," the main theme song of Chen's re-election campaign.
DPP Secretary-General Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) related that "in the past, February 28 was a collective scar, but now we can turn this wound into a collective force for ethic harmony and to cherish Taiwan and peace and leave behind the past shadows."
Chang told the Taiwan News that while yesterday's event took inspiration from the two million person long human chain in the three Baltic Countries in 1989, "our focus is different."
"They aimed to let the world know about their drive for freedom and independence, but we are doing this to foster internal unity and ethnic harmony and show to China our desire for peace and resolution to defend our democracy and sovereignty," Chang said.
The DPP secretary-general acknowledged that the event could not be entirely separated from the presidential campaign.
But Chang said that the organizers had been asked to ensure that no campaign flags or banners were on the stage and added that the invitation issued to the pan-blue presidential and vice presidential ticket of Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) had been "sincerely made."
"We invited them as a gesture to promote internal unity," said Chang, who added that the two were apparently otherwise engaged.

手護台灣全球震撼 3/1/04

〔綜合報導〕高達兩百萬人參加的「二二八手護台灣」活動，影響力已從台灣延展到全球各地，這項標明「反飛彈、愛和平」展現人民意志力的活動，引起全世界媒體矚目及廣泛報導。

　除了ＢＢＣ、ＣＮＮ等多家國際性電子媒體有立即新聞播出，在國際性平面媒體及通訊社方面，美國、日本、新加坡、土耳其與巴林的各大媒體都做了報導，中國則全面封鎖這項活動的消息。

　美國洛杉磯時報指出，台灣二十八日的活動帶有反對北京的意涵，這一點將使北京感到不安。

　華盛頓時報二十九日在國際新聞版面重點處理這則新聞，並刊出台灣民眾攜手相連的照片。報導中指出，為了反對中國對台瞄準飛彈，這是台灣有史以來最大規模的全島示威活動。

　日本各主要電視台在二二八當天晚間新聞時，對手護台灣的壯觀場面做了長時間報導，他們報導的參加人數都在一百五十萬到兩百二十萬人之間；日本電視新聞的報導一致強調，「這是台灣歷史上動員最多人的一次護台大遊行」。

　日本包括「朝日新聞」、「讀賣新聞」、「每日新聞」、「產經新聞」、「日本經濟新聞」、「東京新聞」等主要報紙與其他地方報紙對「手護台灣」的空前人鏈也有大幅報導，各報強調這是台灣過去未曾有過的遊行示威活動，台灣人民以手牽手的方式對中國飛彈的威脅表示反對，受到國際注目。

　在東南亞，新加坡英文「海峽時報星期天刊」和中文「聯合早報」都刊登了路透發出的活動照片，並分別以「牽手護台灣」、「手護台灣二百二十萬人牽手」做為標題。「聯合早報」短評說：「從電視鏡頭呈現的場景，很多參與手護台灣的民眾，他們確實相信和平與族群和解的理念，相信要守護這塊他們熱愛的土地，因此他們站出來，希望讓世界了解台灣人的心聲」。

　一向甚少報導遠東地區消息的土耳其偏左派「共和報」，二十九日在第十版國際新聞版正中央刊出一幀大幅圖片，顯示陳水扁總統與群眾手牽手參加活動的鏡頭。共和報在土國被喻為報導水準可媲美美國「時代週刊」。

　巴林官方英文「海灣日報」說：「陳水扁總統和多達兩百萬人的支持者，形成一條從南到北的人鏈，反對中國在對岸部署近五百枚飛彈，而此項活動也被視為是陳水扁下月二十日競選連任造勢的最佳機會。」

　中國官方控制的媒體，二十八日當天在新華社、人民網等網站，曾有短暫而較中性的報導；但在二十九日，都未提到這項活動，政府檢查人員嚴密監視的新聞網站和網路討論區，也隻字未提。人民日報的網站刊登這項抗議活動的消息時，指這是紀念二二八事件的一項活動。

從二二八大屠殺到二二八大牽手

原載2004.3.1.自由時報自由廣場(以「李嚴」筆名發表)

一九四五年八月中，二次大戰結束，台灣人陶醉在「回歸祖國」的美夢中，慶祝「光復」。沒想到，真正光復的，不是台灣人的政治地位與生活水準，而是腐敗的政治、惡化的治安，擾民的軍隊、橫行的特權、暴漲的物價、嚴重的失業、短缺的米糧、流行的瘟疫…。終於在所謂「光復」的一年四個月後，爆發了二二八事件，經歷一場腥風血雨，上萬民眾慘死，社會精英殆盡。

一九四五年的所謂「光復」，可說是當時台海兩岸的一次「統一」；而一九四七年的二二八事件，則是這場「統一」的後遺症。這個後遺症，敲醒許多人的「祖國夢」。

二二八事件的兩年後，國民黨政權在中國大陸上全面潰敗，中華民國「隨著大陸淪陷而已經滅亡了」蔣介石語)。蔣介石的國民黨統治集團扛著已經滅亡的中華民國的名號，逃退到台灣，建立了學者所說的「遷佔者國家」(settler state)。逃入台灣的蔣家政權，以長期的戒嚴統治與所謂的「動員戡亂」體制，君臨台灣，讓台灣長期處於獨裁專制的陰影之下。二二八的傷口來不及癒合，白色恐怖卻又隨踵而來。僅一九五○年代裡面，就有兩、三千人遭處決，八千多人被判重刑。

在長達三、四十年的「戡亂」体制與「戒嚴」統治之下，海內外有識之士奮起推動台灣的民主運動，一九五○年代有雷震、殷海光等人透過《自由中國》雜誌發岀民主自由的呼聲，以及功敗垂成的的組黨行動(一九六○)。一九七○年代有《大學》、《台灣政論》、《八十年代》、《美麗島》等雜誌的民主改革的訴求。「黨外」民主運動於此時蔚然成風，透過幾次選舉，民氣逐漸凝聚，歷經中壢事件(一九七七年底)、美麗島事件(一九七九年底)，雖歷經統治者的高壓，仍浴火重生，終於在一九八六年突破戒嚴禁令，成立「民主進步黨」，為台灣政治史邁入新里程。在民主運動的激盪之下，歷經蔣氏父子兩代的威權統治終於在蔣經國晚年逐漸解体，歷時卅八年的軍事戒嚴，於一九八七年終告結束。

海外的台灣獨立運動早在二二八事件之後不久即展開，島內的獨立自救聲音，則在白色恐怖當中受盡箝抑。然而，隨著台灣國際外交處境的艱難、中共政權對台灣的威逼，台灣內部族群之間的命運共同感更加凝聚成形，台灣命運共同體已成為建構台灣的國民主義(Nationalism)的基礎。民間的台灣獨立自救的聲浪，終於在進入九○年代之際隨著政治的民主化而逐漸明朗。一九九一年的九八大遊行，提出加入聯合國的主張。以「台灣」座標來思考的數部憲法草案，也經由民間的制憲行動而紛紛提出。基於台灣主體性思維的台灣歷史文化的重新詮釋，也逐漸匯成潮流。台灣化、民主化、多元化正推動台灣的社會改革。

九○年代是台灣的民主化更上層樓的時代。在李登輝與民間民主運動的配合下，台灣逐漸民主轉型，不僅結束了「動員戡亂」，國會得以全面改選，到了一九九六年台灣終於舉行有史以來的第一次總統民選，到了兩千年更出現首次政黨輪替。台灣已經被世界人權組織歸類在「完全自由的國家」之列。

回顧過去坎坷艱辛的民主運動的路途，真是不堪回首。多少英靈消失，多少青春斷送，多少家庭破散，多少幸福犧牲 …。這個民主的成果，是多少心酸血淚交織而成的。

然而，咱台灣這個民主國家，目前正面臨內憂外患，內有過去蔣家統治集團的殘餘勢力正處心積慮想恢復他們的優勢，外有中國北京當局虎視眈眈，用飛彈威脅台灣。台灣能不能克服內憂外患，如何克服內憂外患，正在考驗著台灣人民的志氣與智慧。

今年的二二八，我們終於走出五十七年前的陰影，化悲情為動力，化悲情為愛心，化悲憤為命運共同感。不再有仇恨，不再有對立，認同台灣的各族群牽起手來，從台灣頭牽到台灣尾，我們以兩百萬人牽手形成的人龍，向中國的飛彈說 NO，向台灣的民主自由說 YES，向全世界展現台灣人民維護民主的意志，向對岸的中國嚴正以告我們追求和平的決心！這一天，我們在台灣歷史又立下一個里程碑。除了中國北京當局和台灣內部蔣政權的殘餘勢力及其跟隨者之外，沒有人不因我們這次的歷史盛舉而深受感動。

這次的歷史盛舉，吸引全世界各大媒體齊集來到台灣採訪，倒是國內的統派媒體有刻意淡化之嫌，但是這歷史性的盛舉，已經受到全世界的矚目。幾年後，我們的後代子孫也會在台灣的歷史上，研讀我們這段感人的篇章。

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