"Free Daily Shoot" "Drug Distribution Theory" caused controversy and did not apologize. The service office counterattacked/protested against Li Yanxiu. Social workers planned to join forces for larger actions

Li Yanxiu, a KMT legislator and spokesperson for Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan's campaign, recently said that "in the future, social workers will provide drug addicts with drugs and poisons in the community to treat their addiction." The Taipei City Social Workers Professional Union angrily criticized Li for spreading rumors. Yesterday morning, it and other protest groups went to the door of Li's service office in Nangang, demanding an apology from Li, and refusing to let vulnerable rights and social safety nets become victims of a political war of words.

Li: Social workers’ rights should not be used as a tool to smear

Li did not apologize. She responded in the Legislative Yuan that she fully agreed with the "All Federation of Social Workers Association of the Republic of China" on anti-drug policies and the functions of social workers. The rights and interests of social workers should not become a tool for political struggle and smear.

Please read on...

Yesterday morning, groups accompanying social workers in the protest also included Time Force, Taiwan Foundation, Obasan Alliance, Taiwan Green Party, etc., but they were blocked by the police and the police. The union emphasized that if Li continues to be arrogant and refuses to apologize, it will not rule out launching larger-scale coordinated actions in the future.

The trade union pointed out that Li Yanxiu spread rumors in every corner of society, causing disadvantaged groups to once again face stigma and social exclusion, harming the alternative system and policies that have been deeply cultivated in the system for more than ten years and promote harm reduction and prevention. Integrating inter-professional partners such as doctors, nurses, police and clinical psychologists to establish a public system, false statements caused social distrust, panicked the public, and triggered strong social opposition.

The labor union stated that in addition to social workers’ unions and civil society groups, many scholars, frontline practical social workers, community KOLs, and student representatives also attended the protest to express support and take turns delivering short speeches. Attendees called on social workers to stand up and speak out in person in order to regain their professional subjectivity. At the same time, they emphasized that they refused to let vulnerable rights and social safety nets become victims of political wars of words.

DPP spokesperson Wu Zheng criticized yesterday that Li Yanxiu, as the spokesman for Jiang Wanan's bid, has still refused to admit his mistakes. Jiang has blindly escorted and shied away from responsibility. The Blue Camp did not hesitate to trample on the professionalism and dignity of social workers in the political struggle. Jiang Wanan and Li Yanxiu should immediately apologize to all social workers.