TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) called on supporters to rally and protest in support of leader Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), who was returned to police custody in Taipei on Thursday (Sept. 5).

In response to the court’s decision to hold Ko incommunicado while his case is being prosecuted, TPP leaders are urging party supporters, colloquially known as “little sprouts” (小草), to rally in Taipei to defend Ko. On Friday morning, the TPP’s Taichung headquarters announced that the party would be “sending the troops” to protest in Taipei at noon on Sunday.

Following the announcement of the Taichung branch, other party offices and affiliated organizations across Taiwan issued similar calls. They are encouraging the “little sprouts” to rally peacefully in Taipei in a show of solidarity and to demand a “just judiciary.”

Chair of the TPP’s Taichung branch, Chiang Ho-shu (江和樹), said party supporters have responded with great enthusiasm. He noted that within two hours of the initial post, the party had already registered enough people to fill 10 buses from Taichung to Taipei, according to UDN.

The arrest of the former Taipei mayor and presidential candidate on charges of financial corruption has unsettled TPP leadership and sent shockwaves through Taiwan’s political landscape. The TPP has called the charges “fabrications” and “speculation,” criticizing the conduct of Taipei prosecutors and alleging that the party is the target of a new “Green Terror” under the Lai administration.