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Nylon Cheng Liberty Memorial Museum Audio Guide 9.Nylon Cheng’s non-violent pursuit of the “New Nation Movement”.
【Nylon Cheng’s non-violent pursuit of the “New Nation Movement”.】
In the summer of 1988, Nylon Cheng took his first trip abroad. He visited Japan and the US and met with overseas Taiwanese, including members of the World United Formosans for Independence (WUFI). When he returned to Taiwan, he began to advocate more assertively for the establishment of a new nation. This was called the "New Nation Movement".
But it was not enough to just trumpet the slogan “Taiwan Independence”. Concrete actions were needed. On December 10, International Human Rights Day, Nylon published the "Draft Constitution of the Republic of Taiwan" in the 254th issue of his magazine, Freedom Era Weekly. It was written by 許世楷 Koh Sekai. Nylon hoped this would lead to a more active discussion among the public about a new constitution suitable for Taiwan.
The draft of a new constitution shocked the society and got the attention of the KMT government again. The magazine was banned again. And two months later, Nylon was summoned for "suspicion of rebellion". He refused to accept the charge. He pointed out that this charge was a clear demonstration of KMT's continued persecution of political dissidents, and that citizens should have the right to resist.
Nylon famously said, “The KMT can’t seize my body. They can only seize my corpse.” On January 26th, five days after he was charged by the state, he locked himself in the editor’s office at the magazine. Faced with the tyranny of the KMT government, Nylon's self-imprisonment was actually the most peaceful form of non-violent activism.
During his self-imprisonment, he received many expressions of concerns from international organizations and unceasing support from Taiwanese people. Supporters and volunteers guarded the magazine office by day and night to prevent the police and military from entering to arrest Nylon. Nylon stayed there for the remaining 71 days of his life.
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By 鄭南榕基金會
【Nylon Cheng’s non-violent pursuit of the “New Nation Movement”.】
In the summer of 1988, Nylon Cheng took his first trip abroad. He visited Japan and the US and met with overseas Taiwanese, including members of the World United Formosans for Independence (WUFI). When he returned to Taiwan, he began to advocate more assertively for the establishment of a new nation. This was called the "New Nation Movement".
But it was not enough to just trumpet the slogan “Taiwan Independence”. Concrete actions were needed. On December 10, International Human Rights Day, Nylon published the "Draft Constitution of the Republic of Taiwan" in the 254th issue of his magazine, Freedom Era Weekly. It was written by 許世楷 Koh Sekai. Nylon hoped this would lead to a more active discussion among the public about a new constitution suitable for Taiwan.
The draft of a new constitution shocked the society and got the attention of the KMT government again. The magazine was banned again. And two months later, Nylon was summoned for "suspicion of rebellion". He refused to accept the charge. He pointed out that this charge was a clear demonstration of KMT's continued persecution of political dissidents, and that citizens should have the right to resist.
Nylon famously said, “The KMT can’t seize my body. They can only seize my corpse.” On January 26th, five days after he was charged by the state, he locked himself in the editor’s office at the magazine. Faced with the tyranny of the KMT government, Nylon's self-imprisonment was actually the most peaceful form of non-violent activism.
During his self-imprisonment, he received many expressions of concerns from international organizations and unceasing support from Taiwanese people. Supporters and volunteers guarded the magazine office by day and night to prevent the police and military from entering to arrest Nylon. Nylon stayed there for the remaining 71 days of his life.
--
Hosting provided by SoundOn