On National Day, the anti-corruption headquarters launched the “Nationwide Siege.” Outside the restricted zone, a red human chain encircled the National Day ceremony grounds. Through radio stations, instructions were relayed: when President Chen Shui-bian took the podium to speak, a thunderous chant of “A-Bian, step down!” rose in unison from twenty-nine intersections, joined from within the restricted zone by legislators dressed in red, expressing the firm resolve to remove Chen.
Amid the deafening chants, Shih Ming Te led the crowd out from Taipei Main Station along Zhongxiao West Road and Chongqing South Road, “strolling” counterclockwise, then back by way of Qingdao East Road, Zhongshan South Road, and Zhongxiao West Road to Taipei Main Station.
“I stand with the people. If the people do not leave, neither will I.”
Commander-in-Chief Shih Ming Te said that since September 9 the outcry of the people of Taiwan had spread across the island, yet Chen Shui-bian had turned a blind eye, and the Executive Yuan and the DPP had neither the sincerity nor the ability to deal with so grave a political problem. This was not a responsibility Chen Shui-bian could escape or a question he could dodge: “Chen Shui-bian must respond directly to the people’s demands, their outcry, and their resentment.”
“On the principle that sovereignty resides in the people, whether the people disperse today, tomorrow, or the day after is for the people to decide. I will bear all legal responsibility.”
At 4 p.m., the anti-corruption headquarters launched the second Nationwide Siege march, and the streets turned solid red. But headquarters changed the route at the last moment: instead of heading toward Ximending as planned, the march made a sudden about-turn toward the east side of the city. All along the way, the Red Shirts were in high spirits, raising the “Bian, step down” hand sign and chanting slogans as they advanced; the red tide spread down the road until the whole avenue was red.