Chen Yung-hsing, Cheng Nan-jung, Li Sheng-hsiung and other activists formed the February 28 Peace Day Promotion Association to demand an official investigation into the February 28 Incident as well as the exoneration of its victims. On March 7, the association staged a rally in front of the Changhua County Hall to demand the truth about the incident. Despite enthusiastic support from locals, the protesters were beaten and injured during clashes with police, with Chen giving a speech that night where he declared: “May they wash their bloody hands clean with our tears.”