Protestors and LGBTQ+ rights activists marched through what’s supposed to be Taipei’s queer-friendly neighborhood... voicing their anger after a rare police raid at a local gay bar over the weekend.
Police! Police!
52 people were taken into custody at the Commander D gay bar in Wanhua District on suspicion of sex offenses... after several complaints about potential minors entering the establishment. It also comes after eight spot checks in recent weeks.
But protesters say law enforcement abused their power... refusing to show a search warrant upon request and making offensive remarks about an attendee’s physical disability.
PROTESTER:
"We’ve come out here to say that we don’t accept humiliation like this. Police asked the bar manager to kneel made scornful comments to people with disabilities misused power during arrests and couldn’t clarify on what grounds they suspect people of sex offenses. Police couldn’t clarify whether those arrested were actually witnesses or defendants. They couldn’t even say how they can make the arrests."
The raid was a reminder to many here of a similar Taipei incident in 2004... when police arrested over 90 people at a private party on suspicion of drug use. Subsequent tests found that many were living with HIV, prompting authorities to consider charges related to possible transmission.... Though the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Since then, Taiwan has become the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in Asia... and dedicated October to LGBTQ+ pride...
But just as many had begun to think things have changed... some say they’re shocked and disappointed by the continued hate toward their community.
SEAN DU, TONGZHI HOTLINE:
"We demand that the Taipei City Government and the Taipei City Police Department release all information in this investigation including from body cameras police logs and the chain of command. They should also work with LGBTQ+ gender equality, human rights and disability groups to establish a set of rules for spot checks."
The Taipei city police department says the search was legitimate... and that everyone arrested has been released after giving their statements.
The department has also issued two written warnings to four officers who made the ableist comments.
LIN YEN-TIAN, COMMISSIONER, TAIPEI CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT:
"Following evidence-gathering investigations a search warrant was granted by the court. Officers executed it that day in accordance with the law. A preliminary investigation has confirmed that officers indeed committed misconduct. We have already taken disciplinary action. Our colleagues had a search warrant and would definitely have presented it upon arrival. However, there were 193 people at the scene it was hard to explain the situation to every person."
LIN SHENG-WEI, WANHUA POLICE PRECINCT:
"We will handle this swiftly and decisively. We shall find our colleague at fault and grant an administrative punishment. (Shouldn’t you apologize to the people?) (Apologize!)"
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has apologized for the incident... and promises to improve police education.
CHIANG WAN-AN, TAIPEI MAYOR:
"This instance of police abuse of authority is truly regretful, and I would like to give my sincere apology to those affected. I have ordered the police department and the commissioner to review this matter rigorously. and handle it in accordance with the rules. We’re also advocating to all police forces to ensure that discrimination during law enforcement will never happen again."
Democratic Progressive Party candidate for Taipei Mayor Puma Shen is also calling for a careful inspection of the enforcement process.
With Taipei still preparing for its annual pride events... the case is dampening what is usually a celebratory mood.
John Su and Irene Lin for TaiwanPlus.
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