Dressed in red and shouting slogans, hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese on Tuesday (Oct 10th) took to the streets for a grand rally in Taipei calling for the resignation of local leader Chen Shui-bian.

The total number of people joining in the mass sit-in has reached 1.5 million, according the latest report by the headquarters of the rally.

According to Taiwan local media, the protesters wore red clothes and red caps, and began the march early in the morning. Some put on red headbands and red gloves and carried anti-Chen banners.

Led by rally leader Shih Ming-teh, a former member of Chen's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), protesters surrounded Chen Shui-bian's compound, shouting slogans calling for Chen to be ousted and giving the scandal-dogged leader the thumbs down.

The demonstrators also called for actions to oust DPP members from the local "Legislative Yuan".

According to Shih's plan, if Chen Shui-bian does not respond rapidly to the resignation call, protesters will stage a mass sit-in to continue the fight.

The police was on a high alert on the day but did not take any action against the protesters. There have been no reports about serious confrontations between the two sides.

Meanwhile, the public affairs office of the Taiwan leader has called the rally as "massive disturbance that has brought about a chaotic situation" and "illegal activities".

Editor: Donald