There was music and cries, laughter and tears, placards and banners as more than 2,000 people — including farmers, farming activists and their supporters — protested on Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office last night, voicing their opposition to a series of recent land takeovers by the government.

“Farmers from Dapu [大埔], raise your hands! Farmers from Wanbao [灣寶], raise your hands! Farmers from Erchongpu [二重埔], raise your hands! Farmers from Jhubei [竹北], raise your hands! Farmers from Siangsiliao [相思寮], raise your hands! Farmers from Tucheng [土城], raise your hands!” called out Taiwan Rural Front spokeswoman Tsai Pei-hui (蔡培慧).