Sunday, September 23, 2012

The Wang Family Eviction

Linjiang St Night Market in Taipei

I've looked at student protests on this blog several times. The current generation of students is politically involved but in a way that is orthogonal to the Blue-Green divide: they tend to gather to protest in situations involving social justice issues that are not exclusively of one camp or the other.

The Wang family case is a recent case in which students are involved in protesting on behalf of a family who are being evicted from their home as their home is being destroyed to make way for a developer. Under the current Urban Renewal Act...
For instance, the value of property is currently estimated by real estate appraisers hired by the construction firm that initiates the renewal project; a property owner opposed to an urban renewal -project is given just one opportunity to object; and as long as two thirds of land or property owners in a certain area agree to the project, the properties of those who are opposed to it can be seized by force, regardless of their owners’ wishes.
This is basically a giveaway to big land developers, who can bring in the police to enforce their theft of smallholders' property, and can themselves determine the value of the land. Scary.

A net-friend involved in the protests has a write-up on Facebook:

... below is a report I wrote up in April 2012 for the forced eviction case that took place in Shilin earlier this year after meeting with one of the lawyers. Unfortunately, the case is still ongoing as is the typical fare of controversial issues in Taiwan society. I hope this gives English readers an update on the background of what is going on and now I am far more interested in gathering the right forces and strategize for English writers to put together something cohesive for the international sphere to then push back on the local media and apply pressure on the local government to step in and take action. (click on READ MORE below to continue). 


I will coordinate something soon when I have a clearer picture - there is also an event they will be hosting on the worldwide anti-eviction on September 29th so I welcome you to check it out. Simply take the MRT to Shilin Station, exit 1 and walk north under the rail for approximately 5 minutes till you hit Qian Street 前街.

Right now the government is pitting the Le Young Construction LTD against the Wang Family and their passionate group of supporters. Tenants who had agreed to the urban renewal projects are portraying themselves as victims but pitting their negative energy not on the perpetrators who sold them property that they did not own (Le Young) or the government who permitted this zoning to take place, but the Wang Family and their supporters. A Facebook page was created and daily lists very emotionally charged and misleading captions on pictures in personal smear campaigns against individual students. The most common claim is that the Wang Family at some point agreed to this urban renewal but no evidence was shown. Instead, what we can see is that the Wang Family has written on notices served that they do not wish to be part of the zoning.

Since the forcible eviction at the end of March, supporters have been going out on a daily basis, some staying overnight, to protect what is left of the Wang Family plot (the title of the land still is under their name), engaging in non-violent protests and using their bodies as shields to stop the construction excavator from destroying more of Wang's personal property. Clashes between construction workers (effective under Shu-Wei Construction under Le Young) and supporters, are on the rise as time drags on with no government intervention with sporadic violent episodes. The government has proven irresponsible and ineffective after being the custodian of this controversial act that has disrupted the lives of so many.

All Rights Reserved / Edd Jhong. For all other images please contact me.

I stand neutral on emotions and base it only on facts and the long term dangers this proposes for any one of us in the country if a majority rule in a masqueraded democracy society can so easily evict us out of our civil liberties and property rights. If we take into consideration that 2% of Taiwan's population are comprised of the native indigenous, what is to stop a large scale "urban renewal" zone that negates their rights too, based on majority rule? This can happen in any neighborhood and community as I can easily include enough yay votes to drown out the nay votes of the minority.


Terms:
Wenlin Yuan 文林苑 (Wenlin Garden also poised now as 文林「怨」)
Le Young Construction LTD 樂揚建設股份有限公司Shu-Wei Construction 舜韋營造股份有限公司
Urban Renewal Act 都市更新條例
Wang Family 王家



******
The Wang family was forcefully evicted and their home was demolished early morning on March 28th, 2012, with rights of the media and protestors at the site infringed upon in the process. Under Taiwan’s controversial and poorly written Urban Renewal Act, groups and businesses are able to request the government to forcefully evict and demolish a private citizen’s home.

At the end of this year the country is set to publish the first government-issued report in accordance with the two U.N. human rights conventions (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights). Lawmakers in Taiwan must immediately review Urban Renewal Act as it sets an alarming precedent permitting fledgling democracies throughout Asia claiming adherence to human rights conventions, to instead violate these principles by legitimizing forced evictions and displacements of peoples. Over a hundred homes and thousands of Taiwanese residents are under the risk of being displaced right now.

BACKGROUND
In 2006, the Wang family was approached by private sector development company Le Young Construction LTD., to gauge interest for the company’s “WenLin Garden” project. From the start the Wang family rejected to have their private family home included in a redevelopment of the district and did not receive any further updates or news for approximately three years. In the meantime the developer had obtained a majority consensus vote from surrounding property owners and used this to call upon the government to forcibly remove the Wang family off their property.

On June 16th 2009, the family receiving an official notice was received from the city government, and it was only then they found out their private property had been voted to be razed and included in the renewal zone, despite potential fire hazards, without their consent. The executioner of the forced eviction is the Taipei City government under orders of Taipei City Mayor Hau Long Bin.

  1. The controversial Urban Renewal Act falls at odds with the ROC Constitution and international human rights covenants.
  2. The vote of the majority was used to violate the basic and inalienable rights of the minority and gave them no notice, no alternatives or consultation in the matter.
  3. Due process of law and consultation on the matter was denied to the Wang family, the decision for the proposed project that would affect their lives was already approved by the government by the time they were served with the official notice leaving no recourse.
  4. The developer did not approach the Wang family’s refusal to sell with a legal mediator or a third party and instead approached the government to instigate forced eviction of the Wang family.
  5. The Wang family was not approached with any other options but forced to give up their rights to their property and livelihood. No alternatives or effort was made to re-design the blueprint of the “WenLin Garden” project in which pre-sale of units were already made.
  6. The Wang family did not have access or knowledge of legal procedures involved with theUrban Renewal Act and none are currently in place to advise people of their rights.
On the day of demolition in March 28th, 2012, no advanced formal written eviction notice was ever served and the family could only rely on a slew of rumored possible eviction deadlines that started from March 19th 2012.  The notices of March 27th at 8pm; March 28th at 2:00am, 4:00 am, 6:00 am, 7:00 am were only known to them via third party means such as leaks to the media.

Police forcibly entered into the private residence of the Wang family and proceeded to destroy personal effects of the Wang family along with those of the protestors’ inside. Protestors, a majority of them students, held a non-violent sit-in to protect the Wang home were subject to physical aggression by police equipped with riot gear; rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech were encroached and they were dragged from demolition site were forced onto buses, the buses then proceeded to random destinations far from Taipei city. After arriving at these destinations, protestors were not permitted to get off the bus, thus holding them. Powerful flashlights were used in broad daylight aimed the lenses of video cameras to obstruct the media’s ability to record news footage. This infringement of the media was a violation of press freedom in Taiwan.

Although this construction falls under the Urban Renewal Act of Taiwan, it is only in the interest of a private sector developer for a private construction project that does not benefit the public. Ignoring this incident in a democracy like Taiwan under the ROC government would set a precedent with a chilling effect on human rights throughout Asian democracies. Corporations using this act in order to seize private properties is a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights article 17 which states that, ‘Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.’ and, ‘No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.’

Despite the current ongoing controversy of the Urban Renewal Act the ROC government has not made plans to put countless other urban renewal projects on hold. There are over a hundred cases in Taiwan pending and even more people facing displacement as a result.

DEMANDS

  1. Provide the Wang family with compensation for emotional harm suffered and begin immediate reconstruction and rebuilding of their home.
  2. Immediately review Taiwan’s Urban Renewal Act and other land laws (i.e. Urban Land Consolidation) for breaches of human rights by a well-versed judge or judiciary panel in human rights and property law.
  3. Cease further urban redevelopment projects on controversial cases until they have been reviewed by independent third parties. Participants must be able to fully exercise their right to understanding their alternatives and to a public hearing to voice their grievances.
  4. Review all reported and recorded claims of the blatant violation of activist rights and media rights. Furthermore the government officials who sanctioned these actions and the police officers who executed the orders must attend a training program that educates them on freedom and rights that are permitted to citizens in a democracy under the ROC Constitution.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The development of the “WenLin Yuan” project begets its own controversy as the proposed 15 story-high building would constitute a fire hazard. The Urban Renewal Act in Article 6.1 “buildings that are deteriorated and not having a fireproof structure or the space between neighboring buildings is insufficient, and the building is hazardous to the public safety.”  The R.O.C. FIRE SERVICE ACT stipulates that buildings over five stories tall can only be built on a street that is at least 4m in width to provide access to fire fighters, but the street in front of the planned construction of the “WenLin Yuan” site is less than 4m in width. This issue was not provided to the government when the entity requested approval of the project; the Construction and Planning Agency also failed to double-check that all measures were made before approving the project. Despite the government being reminded in February of 2012 again of this potential hazard that questioned the legitimacy and legality of the new building, no response was made and only action taken was the forced eviction on early morning March 28th.

No further defense has been made on how the “WenLin Garden” project truly constitutes development of space for a public good versus profit.

URBAN RENEWAL ACT:
Promulgated by Presidential Decree No. 8700232460 on November 11, 1998. The Urban Renewal Act that is at odds with Articles 10 and 15 of R.O.C Constitution and the adequate housing according to ICESCR no.11.


The key issues are caused by the flaws and problems in the Urban Renewal Act. The developer is given complete control defining the components of the project and their scope.
- Article 10 stipulates that a majority vote within the renewal zone, could legitimize the displacement of people from their personal property. This scope of the renewal zone can be drawn at the discretion of the developer which allows for gerrymandering.
- Article 11 the scope of the renewal zoning could be drawn by any developer at will without the actual notice of landowners affected.
- Article 22 permits the developers to obtain renewal permit without consensus from all residents or owners even though they may have refused to be part of the renewal zone. 
-Article 25, clause 1 notes that if a certain proportion of the owners of private land or buildings in an area designated for urban renewal agree to the project, those who oppose it can be forced to join, thus depriving people of a constitutionally protected right.
- Article 36 allows the developers to resort to public authorities to evict the residents and demolish their houses. 

R.O.C CONSTITUTION
Freedom of speech pronounced by the R.O.C. Constitution. As the 2011 J.Y. Interpretation No. 689 has pointed out, “Press freedom includes a free access of news, which not only indemnifies interviews by reporters from news agencies, but also guarantee those by citizen journalists for the purpose of providing the public with information of news value and of promoting public discussion and supervision on the government.
- Article 10: The people shall have freedom of residence and of change of residence.
- Article 11: The people shall have freedom of speech, teaching, writing, and publication.
- Article 14: The people shall have freedom of assembly and of association.
- Article 15: The right to own property shall be guaranteed to the people.

THE INTERNATIONAL BILL OF HUMAN RIGHTS
The Taiwanese government has ratified International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)and passed the Enforcement Act of Two Covenants by its Legislative Yuan on March 31st, 2009.  Thus, the Taiwan government has the obligation to respect and protect the right to adequate housing according to ICESCR Article 11.1 and Article 12 on right to freedom of movement and freedom to choose a place of residence.  Furthermore: 15. Appropriate procedural protection and due process are essential aspects of all human rights butare especially pertinent in relation to a matter such as forced evictions which directly invokes a large number of the rights recognized in both the International Covenants on Human Rights. The Committee considers that the procedural protections which should be applied in relation to forcedevictions include: (a) an opportunity for genuine consultation with those affected; (b) adequate and reasonable notice for all affected persons prior to the scheduled date of eviction; (c) information on the proposed evictions, and, where applicable, on the alternative purpose for which the land or housing is to be used, to be made available in reasonable time to all those affected; (d) especially where groups of people are involved, government officials or their representatives to be present during an eviction; (e) all persons carrying out the eviction to be properly identified; (f) evictions not to take place in particularly bad weather or at night unless the affected persons consent otherwise; (g) provision of legal remedies; and (h) provision, where possible, of legal aid to persons who are in need of it to seek redress from the courts.

_______________________
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11 comments:

Raj said...

Compulsory purchases of land should only be allowed for major infrastructure projects or if there's some sort of safety issue - e.g. serious threat of landslides. It shouldn't be allowed just for business/industrial development.

And even then, people must be given the full price of their homes independently adjudged. It is simply criminal to let the purchaser decide the price.

Anonymous said...

http://www.facebook.com/shilinwinlin

You have gotten the facts wrong. This is NOT a compulsory purchase.
This is certainly not about politics. It's about 36 families who followed the urban renewal laws to get new homes built without having to put up cash themselves and are now in a bind because of the greedy Wang family. Wang clan has family members who are architects and involved in the construction business, so let's say they are in the "trade" and tried to game the system with their knowledge. The family told lies after lies to get support from a group of anti-anything students.
Please research and read up on the urban renewal law, rulings about the Wang case and the other 36 families' plea before you are blindsided by Wang family's lies.
http://blog.nownews.com/article.php?bid=33141&tid=1750698#ixzz20z9A4nEg

Ketty W. Chen said...

Thanks for this entry, Michael T.

Michael Turton said...

It's about 36 families who followed the urban renewal laws to get new homes built without having to put up cash themselves and are now in a bind because of the greedy Wang family.

Not sure I follow your logic here. You mean there is no developer involved. It's just the 36 families?

Michael Turton said...

BTW, Shihlinwinlin, if you want to write up something in English as a reply, I will be happy to post it at the bottom.

Michael

Anonymous said...

Hi-
Of course there is a developer involved, otherwise how can those families (not all 36 were poor of course) without financial means get brand new homes built for them in Taipei without having to put up cash themselves. I will agree upfront that developers are not angles and in this for a profit themselves. However in this case, the developer followed the proper renewal laws procedures to get the Wenlin Yuan Renewal project approved.
The 36 families were the families who attended the multiple hearings, meetings, agreed to the exchange ratio, moved out and waiting for their new homes to be built.
Wang families told the following lies:
I. They never knew anything about the Wenlin Yuan Renewal project and were never invited to any of the hearings, meetings and etc. Pictures and neighbors who attended the meeting rebuffed this lie.
II. Wang family lied about their properties having building lines (建築線), therefore their property can be excluded. Lies. The land maps (public record) clearly shows that their properties have NO building lines (沒建築線的畸零地) and therefore can't be excluded from the renewal project, unless (1) they convinced next door neighbor to NOT participate with them and (2) buy enough land from neighbors to establish new building lines. However, Wang family did not do either (1) or (2) and did NOT voice objection BEFORE the Wenlin Yuan renewal was passed. They only came out AFTER they did nothing, let the project pass. What the FXXX could have their neighbors done after the fact! They waited patiently for the Wang family to go to court to try to get the project approval reversed. The Wang family filed six law suits and lost every single suit. They had their day in court.
3) In addition, Wang family built their extension on neighbor's property without compensating them 違建. This neighbor is one of those 36 families.

1. 事實是王家沒提出退出都更(民國95年起),事後謊稱不知情無法反對。
2. 事實是王家都更通過後才提出退出都更,想證明文林苑案都更不合法,經過近2年的司法程序,王家連連敗訴。
3. 事實是王家曲解法規,以懶人包等文欺騙社會王家不能蓋屋子的畸零地可以獨立申請建照,可退出都更。
4. 事實是王家不能蓋屋子的畸零地加入都更可解套變為5房5車位,價值近億元。
5. 事實是因為臺北市都市更新自治條例第十四條法規為保護畸零地,此規定限制王家的鄰地不可以丟下王家都更使王家土地失去和鄰地一起合併申請蓋屋子的機會而成荒地。
6. 事實是都更受害者聯盟假造數字把建商的獲利從1億誇大到5億甚至10億,欺騙社會建商獲暴利,鼓動社會反對都更。
7. 事實是王家要價2億和5億的異議書,法律上沒有以價逼退的可能性,只有爭議權利變換多少的效力。
8. 事實是王家知道訴求在法律上站不住腳,也沒有達到釋憲的爭議點。
9. 事實是王家有兩位建築專業的碩士,其中王耀德先生工作於做都更的建築公司,臺北市都市更新自治條例共28條,都市更新條例共62條印出來沒幾頁,怎麼可能不懂。
10. 事實是早在民國91年10月28日 台北市政府公告更新區域,王家已經被劃入都更區域,非建商圈地。
11. 文林苑王家的屋子範圍,不符第一商業區55%遮蔽率的要求,沒有45%的空地,也沒有後院3米的防火巷空地,沒有和捷運保持距離6米,在捷運禁建區內。除了蓋滿自己的土地外,還蓋在鄰地上。有嚴重的消防隱患。就算王家退出都更,一拆佔用的鄰地給鄰居都更,房子會不會也快垮了。


原文網址: 文林苑事件,以謊言挑起台北市近年來最大的抗爭 | Eric Huang 的部落格 | erichuangtw | NOWnews 部落格 http://blog.nownews.com/article.php?bid=33141&tid=1750698#ixzz27gdA8imT

Michael Turton said...

However in this case, the developer followed the proper renewal laws procedures to get the Wenlin Yuan Renewal project approved.
The 36 famili


These laws are basically evil, that is really the key point here (not that the Wang family are human beings or even that developers are evil -- those go without saying). Hence the defense of "following the law" may be a legal defense but it is not an ethical one.

Michael

Anonymous said...

Hi,
To me, tax laws are evil, traffic laws are evil. Is that the reason to refuse paying taxes or stop obeying the traffic laws on the book in Taiwan? In your opinion, are developers evil, since they follow the so-called evil urban renewal laws? Then does that make the Wang family evil? Because interestingly, Wang family's oldest grandson, Mr. 王耀德, is currently working in an architect firm 華業建築師事務所 that specializes in the evil urban renewal projects following the urban renewal laws.
In Taiwan, there are true victims of the urban renewal projects who deserve our attention and help. Unfortunately, the Wang family is not a true victim. They are merely gaming the system. It's time for everyone involved to move on so that the true victims, the other 36 families can finally go home.
Here's Mr. Wang's bio.
http://www.facebook.com/chis.pig.5

Anonymous said...

Hear the other side's in the Wenlin Yuan Renewal case. The other 36 families have been the "silent" majority suffering in the past two year, because the rowdy students and media do not given them equal time or opportunity to voice their anger and air the injustice that the Wang family has caused.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=278160665627529&set=a.217283798381883.44367.196520353791561&type=1

【2012/9/27 文林苑同意戶日記:無法和媽媽一起住的日子】

  『每個人活在這個世界上都有一個目標,每個人除了為自己而活以外,也會為了某些人而活。對我而言,我,是為了我母親而活–文林苑同意戶李女士』

【文林苑的家中有我們母女情深的回憶】
  我從小跟媽媽的感情就非常好,我們就像是朋友一樣,彼此之間常常無話不說,尤其是媽媽身體還健康的時候,我們常常會徹夜長談,聊聊生活裡面的瑣碎小事,即便是我成年離家以後,每當我回「文林苑」的家看媽媽時,我們常常會從我一進門就開始聊,聊到兩個人都忘記時間,直到窗外的光線由暗轉亮時,才驚覺天亮了,然後我就會跟媽媽到附近走一走,吃個早餐,再回家睡覺。
  媽媽與我聊天的話題,也會隨著我年齡的變化而有所改變。記得在我求學的時候,我們聊天的話題多是環繞在我學校的事情上面,出社會工作以後,則是環繞在我的公司事情上面,但是隨著我年齡的增長,我們聊天的話題開始變成我是否有遇到好的對象上面,有時甚至還會跟我開玩笑說,她都幫我想好小孩子的名字,或是已經在菜市場愈訂好幾件要給我小孩穿的嬰兒裝,常常惹得我哭笑不得。

【這輩子只想要媽媽有好日子過】
  我怎麼會不明白媽媽說的話,我知道她指的是,我一旦有了婚姻,按我們的社會文化習慣,就必須把對她的「順從」及「孝心」毫無保留的轉移到夫家,否則就會被冠上「不孝」媳婦的惡名。可是媽媽無法明白的是,我對她的愛有多深,她不明白我有多擔憂她的身體,多擔憂她無法照顧好自己,我願意為了她放棄走入家庭,反正長久以來我也一個人慣了。這樣的情況一直到媽媽的糖尿病開始惡化,我跟家中其他手足商量後,明白大家都有自己的家庭,也有自己生活的難處,所以我主動承擔下照顧媽媽的責任,媽媽也因為病情的惡化,而不再拒絕我的孝心。
  在照顧媽媽的時間裡面,我也搬回家,開始與媽媽同住,而文林苑的家也開始要都更,我考量到文林苑的家已經太老舊,家中塵顢與蟑螂難以處理,常常害媽媽過敏。各方查詢要幫我們都更的建商在業界名聲,並考量多方相關的配套措施以後,我覺得沒有什麼不好,尤其新房子也有電梯後,若我們沒有住一樓的話,其實沒有什麼差別,所以跟媽媽討論之後,我們很快就同意都更了。

【完工無期:一場永無止境的惡夢】
  在2009年時,建設公司開始拆屋,我與媽媽就開始在外面過著租屋的生活。雖然我們有建設公司給的租屋補貼,可是在外租屋的過程仍是很艱辛,原因是媽媽已經八十歲,且有病在身,很多房東知道以後,就不太願意租給我們,所以一直找到新北投這一帶,才有個房東願意把小套房租給我們,可是我和媽媽不以為苦,因為我們以為三年以後,房子就會興建完成,所以我們狹窄的房間裡面,即便塞滿從舊家帶過來的家當,我們一樣很快樂,滿心期待著新房子蓋好,然後又可以像以往一樣過生活。
  隨著時間的過去,我開始覺得不對勁,發現新房子可能無法如期完工,而且隨著媽媽糖尿病惡化進行截肢手術以後,各方面的經濟壓力開始接踵而來。除了每月一萬五的租屋花費以及個人生活花費外,由於在新北投的住屋實在過於狹小,不適合開完刀的媽媽居住,又礙於文林苑的家又尚未完工,所以只好把媽媽送到每個月三萬元,但是環境比較良好的安養院居住。
  從今年三月開始,都更受害者聯盟與聲援學生至王家聲援,開始在王家的組合屋日夜排班後,我開始感覺到,文林苑的家要完工將會是遙遙無期,且會是一場永無止境的惡夢。但令人高興的是,在文林苑同意戶合作下,我們成立了自救會,我開始感到沒有那麼孤單,雖然常常要一早出門,有時是忙著與王家開協調會、或是到文林苑現場盯整地進度、開住戶會議、找學者詢問問題、請主管機關出來解決問題等等,然後再急急忙忙到朋友公司幫忙,打工貼補一些生活支出,之後再趕到板橋的安養院陪媽媽。

【投訴無門 自力救濟】
  雖然這樣的日子忙得我暈頭轉向,並且身心俱疲,不知道這樣的日子何時可以結束,但是我仍不敢在媽媽面前抱怨,因為我怕她會擔憂,我希望她可以好好養病,在她的病養好時,我們的家也完工了,可是能說不苦嗎?不累嗎?我必須承認我真的覺得很苦也很累,而且不知道這樣日子的盡頭是在何處,我看不到,因此常常在好不容易找到願意讓我請教都更問題的學者專家,或是採訪我的記者面前,無法控制情緒,而會落淚或是很生氣的說話。
  每一次,其他同意戶都會安慰我,但是也會跟我說,要我不要再哭了,要努力在說話的時候,控制自己的情緒,免的政府官員和學者專家覺得我們太鄉愿,不像受過高等教育的知識分子一樣能夠有條理與邏輯的說話,反而覺得我們無法溝通,而不幫忙解決問題。我當然認同其他同意戶說的這個道理,可是我仍然會忍不住想哭泣的情緒,但為了讓主管機關、專家學者或是記者可以了解我在說什麼,我很努力的嘗試在說話的時候,把腦袋一整個放空,不要去想生活裡面遇到的困難,努力用不帶情感的方式,把文林苑遇到的困難,向主管機關、專家學者或記者說明,希望可以有人幫幫我們。

【王家要的是什麼?支援王家的聯盟與學生要的又是什麼?這是誰的家?】
  許多人會問我會不會氣王家,其實我覺得沒有什麼好氣,因為我是跟王幾個兄弟一起長大,我們是認識三、四十年的老鄰居,我知道他們有他們的想法,也有他們要的東西,可是我只是不明白,他們為什麼要用這樣的方式來告訴大家。除此之外,支援他們的都更受害者聯盟與學生們,為什麼不也幫幫我們同意戶,難道我們同意都更後,就不是都更的受害者嗎?
  因此也有人問我,會不會氣這些參與支持王家的學生們,其實我不會氣他們,我也有常常到他們的網站去看,我知道學生們是在做公民參與,而我覺得學生能夠關心社會的事情真的很好,只是到現在我仍然弄不明白他們的訴求到底是什麼?因為他們一直說都更法有問題,所以要聲援王家,一方面我無法理解此二者的關係,另一方面我覺得法規有問題,應該要找相關的部門來探討與修法,針對主管機關來施壓,而不是搭一個組合屋抗議,因為這樣是無法解決問題,只是在消耗無辜者的能量。
  除此之外,我也無法理解他們公民參與的意義為何,因為在文林苑的事情上面,不管政府、建商、同意戶說什麼,他們都認為我們這些大人說的話都是假的,這個是另一個讓我感到難過的事情,並且也使我發現,他們似乎困在文林苑的事件裡,無法察覺問題真正所在。坦白說,曾經有一度,我以為憑這群孩子們的學歷和熱情,應該有機會成為文林苑解決爭議的溝通橋樑,幫助我們瞭解所有事情的來龍去脈,並尋找、提供一個公平公正公開的溝通平台,因此我有些失望,看著他們每天待在組合屋裡面,舉辦類似社團活動的事情,例如放映電影或舉辦課程講習,把這邊當做一個社團辦公室,王家人反而很少居住在這裡,也不常在這打掃(經過看到,都只有一位潘同學在打掃)。我不禁疑惑,這裡到底是誰的家?

【我只想要媽媽病好一些時,能接她回文林苑的家】
  雖然很多輿論都說「最可憐的是同意戶」,因為我們沒有學者、學生團體聲援,也沒有民代相挺,且房子因為要都更,所以早已經搬離家園在外流浪三年,但大家不要忘記,之前的輿論是多麼強大,一面倒的把王家塑造成都更受害的弱勢,媒體想寫甚麼就寫甚麼,哪一天或許有些輿論會開始說王家就是釘子戶,而這些聯盟學生的美意卻反而幫忙王家談到好價錢了…,誰可以料到呢?經過這段時間的折磨,我已經不是很在乎輿論的看法,我只想要媽媽的病好時,能夠接她一起回到我們文林苑的家就夠了。

Michael Turton said...

Thanks for the information. English for my non-Chinese readers, please.

Michael

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting the comment and the Chinese letter.
It's too hard to translate such an emotional letter from the 同意戶.