Wave of Rallies

Yesterday was a day of rally, people around the world marched on the streets for different reasons. Throughout Taiwan, over two million people rallied against current President Chen Shui-bian. In South Korea, tens of thousands took to the streets in support of impeached President Roh Moo-hyun. And in Spain, over ten million Spaniards demonstrated against Madrid train bombing which killed 200 on Thursday, three days before the national election. More anti-terrorism rallies were also organized throughout Europe.

Basque separatists Eta has been the main suspect of the blast, but today it was released that al-Qaeda would be the more evident terrorist group that launched the attack as retribution to Spain's support to America's war on Iraq. In subsequence, many believe, Italy, England, Japan and Australia could all be the next target of terror attack.

Voice for peace swept across Europe after the incident. Even though the number of casualty on the Madrid train is relatively small as compared to that in the Twin Towers in 2001, the cloud of anguish covers a greater dimension of continent in the wake of the carnage. After the 911 incident, many suggested that it's a result of the unilateral foreign policy of President George W. Bush. There were mourners across the Atlantic Ocean but without large demonstrations against the name of terrorism. Ironically, it was not until many months later demonstrations took on the street to protest against war on terrorism.

Geographic line is definitely a factor in the composition of alliance. By the same token this terror attack in Spain hasn't caused much echo in Hong Kong. Maybe it was because we are currently too occupied by other turmoil, or because the attack wasn't as dramatic, or because no Hong Kong people was killed in that exploded train.