On Saturday, July 24th, the indigenous community came out in full force to call for the resignation of Vice President Annette Lu. Her insulting remarks, early in the month, prompted 11 indigenous legislators to organize the event and contact the United Nations Human Rights Committee to increase international awareness.
As reported by the Taipei Times, Vice President Lu remarked, "I did not say that the government must force Aborigines to emigrate to Central America, I just suggested that the government's emigration policy should reconsider how to assist residents in central Taiwan's mountain areas to develop new careers in other countries, such as Taiwan's allies in Central America." The Taipei Times adds that Lu believes that today's Aboriginal tribes are not the original inhabitants of Taiwan.
Adorned in red headbands that read "oppose racism," more than 4,000 members from Taiwan's indigenous groups marched to the Presidential Office. They not only hoped to gain national respect but also called for Lu's immediate apology and resignation. The protest ended peacefully with cries that the indigenous people must "protect our land, protect our Taiwan."
