ABSTRACT
This chapter examines two elements of the fulminating compound: the rise of environmental consciousness in Taiwan, and the special character of Lukang and the surrounding communities. The backbone of the Lukang economy is its handicraft industries, led by manufacturers of traditional wooden furniture, small shops that offer religious articles to tourists and pilgrims, and stores that supply farmers and fishermen from the surrounding villages. In Lukang itself, primary and middle school students were recruited to paint posters warning of the dangers of environmental pollution, which were displayed along the main street during the Folk Arts Festival in June, when the city was jammed with tourists and television crews. Although the leaders of the rebellion came from the city, and many of their followers were city folk, the strongest support came from the maritime communities surrounding Lukang. The creator and sustainer of the anti-DuPont movement, as it was dubbed in the press, was Lukang businessman, civic activist, and politician Li Tung-liang.
