Lin Shu-ling

Lin Shu-ling (Chinese: 林淑玲), born 1976, is an Amis woman from the Tse-tung buluo (indigenous village community), in the Fushan district, Beinan, Taitung County, Taiwan. [1] As a traditional custodian of the land on which the controversial BOT Taitung Miramar Resort was built, she rose to prominence as a leader of the community movement against it, and a national voice for Taiwan indigenous land rights.[2] [3] [4]

In 2018, Lin announced her intention to run as a ‘plains aboriginal candidate’ in the Beinan Township representing the New Power Party in the November 2018 Taitung County Government elections.[5] However, in September 2018, she was disqualified by the Taitung Election Committee due to having a conviction for "public abuse". She has appealed her disqualification to the Central Government Election Committee. [6]

Current Work

Lin Shu-ling runs a small business with her mother, Da Panay, raising goats and cropping hibiscus. Together they live with Lin’s grandmother, Miarde, who grows artemisia, at Shanyuan/Fudafuduk. [7]

Taitung Miramar Resort Protest

The initial indigenous resistance to the Taitung Miramar Resort on Shanyuan/Fudafudak beach began as a standoff involving the Taitung KMT County Government/Miramar coalition, versus two goat farmers and a grandmother. [8] [9] [10]

After receiving an eviction/demolish order “out of nowhere” for her grandmother's house,[11] Lin Shu-ling reacted:

“I don’t like to argue, I was just afraid to lose our home... I went to the front line with our protest banner - my mom was worried for me, she wanted me to slow down - but when it comes to guarding the beach where I grew up, I’m fearless.” [12]

“Aboriginal land has continuously been taken away. It’s happening and I can’t pretend that I don’t see it... I’m ready to make a signal fire, call out, ask people to help guard the ocean and my buluo together.” [13]

12 years later the battle is ongoing, [14] having evolved into "a landmark case in the history of environmental assessments in Taiwan" [15]

In 2008, Lin Shu-ling became a plaintiff on the historic Citizen Litigation suit launched by Thomas Chan (詹順貴) challenging the legality of the resort’s EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and building permit. [16]

Despite winning this, and all subsequent cases related to the Taitung Government/Miramar BOT scheme, appeals and legal adjustments by the Kuang Li-chen and Justin Huang administrations extended the process to eight years. [17] The Taitung Government permitted Miramar to continue construction while appeals were pending. [18]

Community Action

During this time, Lin continued her grassroots protest [19] as a wider community opposition to Miramar began to grow:

“This coast is not just for us local people, it is for everyone. People from all over Taiwan come here to vacation and enjoy the beauty of nature... the mountains, the forests, the beaches. If the developers' plans come to fruition, all of this will be lost.” [20]

Lin was a member and spokesperson for the activist group Fan Fan Fan (FFF). She participated in a month-long camp-in on Shanyuan/Fudafuduk beach (the site of the development) in 2011 [21] , as well as helping to stage rallies and concerts with performances by leading Taiwanese indigenous and indie acts, attended by a growing tide of protesters. [22]

In April 2013, Lin and other FFF members and supporters undertook a 300 km walk from her home (at the site of the BOT project) to the Presidential Palace. [23]

References

  1. ↑ Glenn Smith, 2015, Taiwan indigenous activists win legal battle against luxury resort developer
  2. ↑ Taipei Times, 2016: EPA encouraged to halt review of Shanyuan resort
  3. ↑ The Reporter, 2015, Lin Shu-ling's resistance
  4. ↑ Emily McKee, Wild at Heart, The Miramar Story, 2012
  5. ↑ CNA, 2018: Taitung Election Committee disqualifies Lin Shu-ling, Lin vows to continue campaign
  6. ↑ CNA, 2018
  7. ↑ Glenn Smith, 2015, Interview with Lin Shu-ling
  8. ↑ Glenn Smith, 2015, Interview with Lin Shu-ling
  9. ↑ Taipei Times, 2016: EPA encouraged to halt review of Shanyuan resort
  10. ↑ The Reporter, 2015, Lin Shu-ling's resistance
  11. ↑ Glenn Smith, 2015, Interview with Lin Shu-ling
  12. ↑ Apple Daily, 2012: Don't force me to accept your gold mining dream
  13. ↑ Apple Daily, 2012: Don't force me to accept your gold mining dream
  14. ↑ The Reporter, 2015, Lin Shu-ling's resistance
  15. ↑ Focus Taiwan, 2012
  16. ↑ Glenn Smith, 2015, Interview with Lin Shu-ling
  17. ↑ Taipei Times Editorial, 2016: Miramar Resort: Tourism gone wrong
  18. ↑ Taipei Times Editorial, 2016
  19. ↑ Emily McKee, Wild at Heart, The Miramar Story, 2012
  20. ↑ Glenn Smith, 2015, Interview with Lin Shu-ling
  21. ↑ Taipei Times, 2011: Aborigines continue to protest against new hotel
  22. ↑ Taipei Times, 2012: Live Wire
  23. ↑ Taipei Times, 2013: Groups to hold rally against Miramar Resort
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