Story by Chia Chun Chung of The Snow Lion Foundation Photos by Howard G. Fass of The Snow Lion Foundation
On October 9th we had our fourth monthly Harvard Square outreach event. With fall weather setting in and students bustling about, the square has taken on a different aura. We welcomed several new faces and added the new "Keep Taiwan Free" signs given to us by our friends in New York.
A businessman from Taiwan stopped and asked, "what is this about?, Taiwan independence?". We told him that we are advocating Taiwan's right to self-determination. He gave us a thumbs-up. An older gentleman stopped to chat with us about the current political climate in Taiwan, and said that we have a long up-hill battle to fight. "Yes", we said, "and will keep at it for as long as it takes".
Once in a while we receive a comment that was not so friendly. These brief encounters reminded us of the importance of our cause. Freedom, democracy, and human rights are universal values. We are fortunate to be able to publicly support these values without worry, and that is precisely the reason that we must speak out for those who can't, and that is precisely the reason that we must speak out for those who can't.
This vigil and the people who took part in it are not supported by any political party, green or blue. Rather it is a gathering of interested people who care about Taiwan and wish to stand up for basic human rights and values that apply to all human beings everywhere.
This vigil is held the second Saturday of every month, rain or shine from 3PM to 5PM at Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
