The island's opposition leaders have asserted that neither is correct, and that Taiwan is an independent state over which China has no rightful claim. It means that the civil war between the communists and nationalists has ended and we can look forward to China and Taiwan creating a new relationship between two nations. One of the church's political assets is its 1,208 congregations spread throughout the island, representing most every class and ethnic group, including at least 11 aboriginal tribes, according to Lo. Arrigo agrees that Presbyterians generally have been a step ahead of Taiwan's politicians. What started out as the first major human rights celebration on the island, turned violent as police closed in on the crowd in the capital Taipei and employed teargas.
Demonstrators insist that the violence was instigated by pro-KMT collaborators.
The government tried three groups responsible for the demonstration, including a group of 10 people associated with the Presbyterian Church. Out of that event arose the DPP and an overseas support network of democratic activists. Nearly every leader of the present democratic movement was involved as a defendant or defense lawyer, including Chen, who helped defend the Presbyterians. Arrigo, who was married at the time to the protest's main organizer Shih Ming-teh, also participated in the event. The church's activism provoked the KMT to monitor its activities.