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Taiwan march demands Chen quit Mass march against Taiwan leader
(about 8 hours later)
Thousands of Taiwanese demonstrators have marched through Taipei's streets denouncing President Chen Shui-bian. Tens of thousands of people have staged a march to demand the resignation of Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian.
The march was part of a movement which kicked off last week to demand Mr Chen's resign over allegations of corruption by relatives and advisers. It was part of a movement which kicked off last week over corruption claims involving relatives and advisers.
Protestors have been holding a round-the-clock vigil outside the Presidential Office, but crowds have dwindled in recent days. Demonstrators have been holding a round-the-clock vigil outside the presidential office in the Taiwanese capital, Taipei.
Organisers hoped Friday's march would re-ignite the campaign's momentum. Police say 320,000 people joined the march; organisers say as many as three quarters of a million took part.
It was led by Mr Chen's former ally, former ruling Democratic Progressive Party chairman Shih Ming-teh.It was led by Mr Chen's former ally, former ruling Democratic Progressive Party chairman Shih Ming-teh.
He has vowed to continue the protests until Mr Chen resigns.He has vowed to continue the protests until Mr Chen resigns.
Red for angerRed for anger
Last weekend around 90,000 people were estimated to have taken part in the demonstration that launched the campaign.Last weekend around 90,000 people were estimated to have taken part in the demonstration that launched the campaign.
Chen protests gain ground In pictures: Taiwan protestsChen protests gain ground In pictures: Taiwan protests
Protesters have remained outside the presidential offices, chanting and wearing red to symbolise anger.Protesters have remained outside the presidential offices, chanting and wearing red to symbolise anger.
Tens of thousands of people are reported to have joined the latest march. "President Chen had promised us clean politics when he was elected in 2000, but now see what he has given the people," said businessman Jesse Wang, speaking to AFP news agency.
After the march, protesters were due to take up a new position at Taipei train station because on Saturday, thousands of pro-Chen demonstrators are set to gather outside the Presidential Office. "For Taiwan's democracy, this is a big moment for expressing ourselves," Lin Chung-hsien, 38, explained to Reuters news agency.
Organisers say the movement is a success. After the march, protesters were due to take up a new position at Taipei train station because on Saturday, thousands of pro-Chen demonstrators are set to gather outside the presidential office.
"A lot of people have come from far away," said campaign spokesman Chang Fu-chung. "And despite days of rain, the number of people gets bigger and bigger," he said."A lot of people have come from far away," said campaign spokesman Chang Fu-chung. "And despite days of rain, the number of people gets bigger and bigger," he said.
The campaigners are reported to be considering whether to call a national work-stoppage to put further pressure on Mr Chen. The campaigners are reported to be considering whether to call a national strike to put further pressure on Mr Chen.
ApologisedApologised
The president's popularity has plummeted amid scandals involving relatives and aides.The president's popularity has plummeted amid scandals involving relatives and aides.
Mr Chen's term of office is due to end in 2008
His son-in-law is facing charges - which he denies - of insider trading on the stock market, while his wife has also been accused of accepting department store vouchers.His son-in-law is facing charges - which he denies - of insider trading on the stock market, while his wife has also been accused of accepting department store vouchers.
Mr Chen has apologised for the scandals and has not personally been accused of anything.Mr Chen has apologised for the scandals and has not personally been accused of anything.
His term of office is due to run until 2008 and he is refusing to resign, saying that the rallies are simply part of opposition attempts to bring him down.His term of office is due to run until 2008 and he is refusing to resign, saying that the rallies are simply part of opposition attempts to bring him down.
In June Mr Chen survived an unprecedented parliamentary attempt by the opposition Kuomintang to remove him from office.In June Mr Chen survived an unprecedented parliamentary attempt by the opposition Kuomintang to remove him from office.