Ceremony Held in Tainan for First Time 二二八中樞紀念儀式 今年首度移師台南

This year, the main 228 incident ceremony was held in Tainan for the first time. Meanwhile, protesters also gathered and asked the government to investigate thoroughly for the mainlanders who were beaten to death during the 228 incident.

 “We want the government to get a conscience and return justice to us.” People held signs aloft as they protested outside Tainan 228 Memorial Park. This year's main 228 incident commemorative ceremony was held here for the first time. Protesters gathered prior to the start of the ceremony, and asked that the government use the same standards for victims of the 823 Artillery Bombardment, among other grievances.

Huang Cheng-chung, Convener, Democracy Oversight Alliance: “When waishengren came to assume control, they were beaten to death by thugs during the 228 incident. This wasn't investigated thoroughly and nothing was made public.”

The protest concluded before the start of the ceremony because the protesters were afraid of police retaliation. This year is the 76th anniversary of the 228 incident, and the focus was on the convergence of justice and the continuation of courage. President Tsai Ing-wen and Premier Chen Chien-jen were among those who made the trip to Tainan for the ceremony. They expressed their sympathy to victims and promised to continue with the transitional justice work.

Hsueh Hua-yuan, Chairperson, Memorial Foundation of 228: “We've already located over 3,600 victims. This number of people actually exceeds the total number of people we already compensated.”

Tsai Ing-wen, President: “The country's transitional education action plan was ratified and launched a few days ago. This is the first time that the transitional justice system has been systematically integrated into education. It will be inculcated in schools and among government functionaries, law enforcement personnel, and the general public.”

Tsai presented a restoration of reputation certificate to the son of Su Shui-mu. Su was arrested during the 228 incident and remains unaccounted for. Tainan City Mayor Huang Wei-che said 228 is a day of suffering for the Taiwanese people and also a lesson that should be remembered to remind people to cherish Taiwan's hard-won freedom and democracy.

「請政府拿出良心，還我公道。」舉牌齊聲抗議，二二八中樞紀念儀式今（2023）年首度移師台南二二八紀念公園舉辦，但會前卻有民團在附近集結抗議，提出政府應用同樣標準，照顧賠償在八二三炮戰死亡的軍民等訴求。

民主監督聯盟總召集人黃正忠指出：「外省人來接管的時候，那些外省人被暴徒打死的，在二二八事件的時候，根本都沒有查清楚，也沒有公布告知。」

就怕警察來驅離，民團的抗議活動在紀念儀式還沒開始之前就結束。今年是二二八事件76週年，主題聚焦正義匯聚、勇氣延續，總統蔡英文、行政院長陳建仁等人也特別南下參加中樞紀念儀式，向受難者致意，承諾持續轉型正義工作。

二二八事件紀念基金會董事長薛化元表示：「找到的受難者人數已經超過3600人，這個人數其實就是超過，過去我們已經賠償的總人數。」

總統蔡英文提及：「國家轉型教育行動綱領，幾天前已經核定上路，這是首度將轉型正義系統性地納入教育，對學校、公務人員、執法人員，對社會大眾全面地推廣。」

蔡英文頒發回復名譽證書給受難者蘇水木的兒子，因為蘇水木在二二八期間無故被國軍逮捕，至今下落不明。台南市長黃偉哲表示，二二八是台灣人苦難的日子，也是應記取的教訓，提醒國人珍惜得來不易的民主自由。