420 Anti Nuclear March

Event description

The anti-nuclear movement in Taiwan began in the 1980s when the construction of the fourth nuclear power plant, "Nuclear Plant No.4" was planned in Gong-liao on the north coast. In 1988, local residents formed the Yan-liao Anti-Nuclear Self-Help Association, initiating a protest that lasted for more than two decades. Environmental groups, such as the Taiwan Environmental Protection Union Taipei Chapter (later reorganized as the "Green Citizens' Action Alliance"), provided long-term support to Gong-liao residents and focused on anti-nuclear issues.

The construction process of Nuclear Plant No.4 was lengthy and tumultuous. On October 27, 2000, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government initially announced the suspension of Nuclear Plant No.4 construction. However, due to pressure from the opposition parties, it declared the resumption of construction on February 14 of the following year, causing the anti-nuclear movement to temporarily lose momentum. It wasn't until March 11, 2011, when the Fukushima nuclear disaster occurred in Japan due to an earthquake, shocking the world and causing many Taiwanese citizens to begin to worry and question the safety of nuclear energy, especially Nuclear Plant No.4. The DPP, in opposition, promptly proposed the "Non-Nuclear Homeland by 2025" policy.

By 2013, anti-nuclear sentiments were on the rise. On March 9 of that year, environmental groups collaborated to launch the "National Anti-Nuclear March," with approximately 220,000 people participating across Taiwan. Following the movement, various organizations formed the "National Anti-Nuclear Action Platform." The next year, on March 9, the anti-nuclear platform organized another march, drawing a similar number of participants.

A little over a month later, Lin Yi-hsiung, to protest against Nuclear Plant No.4, announced an indefinite hunger strike at Yiguang Presbyterian Church, starting from April 22, 2014. This action gained widespread attention and support, especially since the social atmosphere was tense following the conclusion of the Sunflower Movement.

On April 26, the Anti-Nuclear Action Platform held a large anti-nuclear rally at Ketagalan Boulevard. The next day, on April 27, in the afternoon, a large anti-nuclear march took place. When the crowd marched to Zhong-hsiao West Road near Taipei Main Station, they suddenly declared the occupation of the nearby area and staged a sit-in protest on Zhong-hsiao West Road. In the early hours of April 27, the police, using riot gear and powerful water cannons, forcibly dispersed the crowd, resulting in multiple clashes. Ultimately, the protesters were driven back to the Ketagalan Boulevard venue.

Outcome

Due to intense social pressure, President Ma Ying-jeou announced on April 28, 2014, the "sealing of Nuclear Plant 4, Unit 1, and the halting of Unit 2." The decision on the continued operation of Nuclear Plant No.4 was to be determined by a public referendum.

After the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took office, it proposed the "Non-Nuclear Homeland by 2025" policy, aiming to offset nuclear energy production with green energy projects. In 2017, an amendment to the Electricity Act was passed, with Article 95, paragraph 1 clearly stating the cessation of operations for all nuclear power plants by 2025.

In the 2018 national referendum, the proposal to "abolish Article 95, paragraph 1 of the Electricity Act" (to stop all nuclear power generation by 2025) was approved. The 2021 national referendum proposal for the "reopening and commercial operation of Nuclear Plant No.4" did not pass and failed to reverse this decision.

Participating Organizations