Taipei, March 18 (CNA) A group of senior citizens who participated in a massive rally held in Taipei City Saturday to protest against China said they did it for the younger generation and urged young people in Taiwan to develop a stronger Taiwan identity and be brave enough to voice their opinions.
"We did this for the benefit -- democracy and freedom -- of our next generation and to protect them from China's annexation and suppression, " said a 65-year-old farmer surnamed Kuo, who came from Guantian Township, Tainan County -- President Chen Shui-bian's hometown.
Tens of thousands of people participated in the "Protect Democracy, Oppose Annexation" rally, with some 80 percent of them being over the age of 40.
"Unfortunately, we have to drag our old legs and hit the street today. Young people in Taiwan should step out and voice their opinions in order for the rest of the world to hear our voices, " said a 72-year-old man surnamed Chen, also from Guantian.
Scott Cogburn, one of the few foreigners who joined the rally, agreed. Cogburn, a U.S. citizen who has been living in Taiwan for more than five years, said he has participated in almost every major demonstration in Taiwan and that he was really surprised to see so many people in their 60s and 70s in the march and so few young people.
"Back in the U.S., you see a lot more young people taking part in demonstrations like this, " Cogburn said.
53-year-old Liu Kuo-song of Fongshan City, Kaohsiung County lamented the fact that Taiwan's education is lacking in the teaching of local history and geography.
"Most of our youngsters don't know much about Taiwan history because they are not taught it in schools. And that has resulted in their lack of Taiwan identity, " Liu said.
"It's ironic that a youngster knows how to take trains from point A to point B in China but doesn't know what the longest river in Taiwan is," he said.