Taiwan Activist Wu Baiwei Reports Intimidation Following Recall Effort against Legislator

New Taipei City, taiwan – Wu Baiwei, the leader of the “Ba Luobo” group, which initiated a recall campaign against Kuomintang legislator Luo Mingcai, has reported experiencing intimidation and threats following his efforts. The activist, who even issued a statement affirming he would not commit suicide due to the pressure, shared his experiences on the Sanli political commentary program “New Taiwan Sect Online” after completing the petition delivery.

Underworld Intimidation and “Tea Invitations”

Since publicly stating his safety, Wu Baiwei has been posting daily updates on facebook. He revealed that after the second stage of the recall was initiated, he received unwanted attention from local figures. These encounters included being “invited to the mountains for tea” in Wulai and being approached at an engineering firm with warnings to cease his activities. According to Focus Taiwan, threats and intimidation of political figures are taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly by authorities.

Did You Know? “Invited to tea” is a euphemism often used in Taiwan to describe being summoned by individuals or groups, sometimes with implied threats or pressure.

▲Wu Bowei was invited to “drink tea in the mountains”. (Photo/Xintai Shop is online)

Blocked at Events and Forced to Flee

The intimidation escalated when Wu Baiwei was blocked at a public event, causing him to fear for his safety and prompting him to flee the scene. This incident was a primary reason for his earlier statement denying any suicidal intentions. He stated that he felt he was being watched and that his actions were being carefully monitored.

▲Wu bowei was advised to “not replenish the items.” (Photo/Xintai Shop is online)

Legislator Wang Dingyu’s Support

DPP legislator Wang dingyu, who has faced similar threats, expressed his support for Wu Baiwei.Wang Dingyu recounted his own experiences, which required nearly five years of protection, including armed police at his home. He encouraged Wu Baiwei to remain steadfast, emphasizing that Taiwan is a democratic nation governed by the rule of law and should not succumb to fear. Wang Dingyu lauded Wu Baiwei’s dedication to completing the petition delivery,highlighting his commitment to civic duty.

Pro Tip: If you are facing threats or intimidation, contact local law enforcement promptly and document all incidents with dates, times, and details.

Sudden Announcement by the Election Committee

Adding to the pressure, the New Taipei Election Committee unexpectedly announced the delivery time for the recall petition, forcing Wu Baiwei to temporarily go into hiding. He expressed dismay that the political climate had deteriorated to the point where even a recall effort required him to fear for his safety.Despite the danger, Wu Baiwei remains committed to the mission of the thousands of citizens who signed the petition.

▲The New Taipei Election Committee suddenly announced the delivery time, asking him to hide it for the time being. (Photo/Xintai Shop is online)

The Broader Implications

Wu Baiwei’s experience underscores the challenges faced by activists in Taiwan and the potential for intimidation within the political landscape. His case highlights the importance of protecting democratic processes and ensuring the safety of individuals participating in civic activities. He stated, “If you dare to touch anyone, you will touch everyone under our Taiwan democracy. As when an individual is threatened, when an individual is threatened, he can threaten the entire society.”

What steps should be taken to ensure the safety of activists in Taiwan? How can international organizations support Taiwan’s democracy?

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