Stand with Taiwan—Times Square Solidarity Event
📍 Times Square, NYC ⌚ Tuesday 6:00 PM EST June 4th, 2024
I’ve been back in NYC with my shiny new O-1 for about a month, and already I’m getting myself into trouble. A LINE group chat I started for politically-minded Taiwanese people in NYC is now collaborating with Keep Taiwan Free for this Bluebird solidarity event in Times Square!
In case you haven’t heard, Taiwan’s been having a democratic kerfuffle. Pro-China legislators, who currently have a slight majority in our parliament, forced through several questionable laws that can undermine our democracy. You can read more about it in this open letter from 30 scholars who have expressed their concerns.
In response, Taiwanese people have risen up and protested not once, not twice, but 4 times in the streets outside of the Legislative Yuan, each protest drawing crowds of thousands. The main street where people gathered is called 青島東路, or Blue Island East Road. But when Meta started down-ranking and shadow-banning that phrase (yay), netizens cleverly swapped out the word 島 island for 鳥 bird to outrun the algorithm. And just like that, the Bluebird Movement was born.
The protests have not prevented these laws from being passed, but we’re in this fight for the long haul. The movement has been a lovely, vibrant demonstration of Taiwan’s robust civil society. Donations were plentiful and creativity abound. I’ve particularly enjoyed the breadth of artwork that’s been created.
In solidarity with the Bluebird Movement in Taiwan, Taiwanese around the world have crowdfunded a billboard in New York Times Square. The ad will be displayed all day on June 4th, 0:00-23:59. For a nation that has always been sidelined on the global stage, this is a moment we’re taking up space and demanding to be seen.
📍 Times Square, NYC
⌚ Tuesday 6:00 PM June 4th, 2024
You can follow New York Bluebird and share information about the event on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
