Large crowds assembled around the Legislative Yuan in Taipei and other cities nationwide yesterday to protest efforts by opposition lawmakers to pass a set of controversial legislative reform bills.
More than 50 civil groups coordinated the protests, which organizers said were called to “defend Taiwan’s democracy” against efforts by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) to push through bills that seek to expand the legislature’s powers of investigation and oversight over the executive branch.
Organizers estimate that more than 100,000 people had gathered outside the Legislative Yuan as of press time last night, centered around two stages on streets north and south of the chamber.
Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times
Slogans called for citizen action to “oppose abuse of power by legislators” and “refuse ‘black box’ processes.”
Many protesters also held signs saying: “I have contempt for the legislature,” as lawmakers met inside to vote through to the third reading bills that would expand legislative powers of investigation and make it a criminal offense to be in contempt of the legislature.
Taiwan Economic Democracy Union convener Lai Chung-chiang (賴中強) when speaking on stage said that the KMT and TPP circumvented normal deliberation processes, clause-by-clause reviews and cross-party negotiations to force through to a vote, saying that many lawmakers did not even know what the bills said.
Photo: RITCHIE B. TONGO, EPA-EFE
“It is fortunate for Taiwan that many citizens are alarmed by the non-transparent ‘black box’ process, and concerned that the KMT and TPP are working to undermine our democracy,” said Lai, whose organization along with the Taiwan Citizen Front and the Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan organized the nationwide protests.
“But we shall keep protesting so our citizens can have confidence in Taiwan’s democratic system,” he said. “Even if lawmakers pass these controversial bills through the third reading to expand their power, we shall fight on to protect democracy and safeguard Taiwan.”
People can petition for a public referendum to negate the bills, as well as launch recall campaigns within their constituencies against opposition legislators, Lai said.
Photo: CNA
He also said that the Executive Yuan can veto the bills due to fiscal constraints or procedural issues.
Organizing committees and volunteers set up tents to the north and south of the Legislative Yuan and at the adjacent Chelam Presbyterian Church with stations for medical teams, where they also provided free water bottles, biscuits and other supplies for participants donated by benefactors and stockpiled at the church grounds.
Some counterprotesters attended in small numbers following calls from opposition lawmakers to take to the streets in support of the bills.
The KMT had applied to hold a protest on Qingdao E Road, where they had a stage truck set up, but only a handful of people were there through the evening.
In Kaohsiung, a march that started at Central Park (中央公園) drew more than 3,500 people, the organizers said.
Protests were also held in other central and southern cities, drawing smaller crowds of about 500 in Taichung and Changhua, about 300 in Tainan, 200 in Chiayi and 100 in Taitung, organizers said.
The Presbyterian Church of Taiwan also organized “Pray for Taiwan” events at 7pm yesterday at the Chelam Presbyterian Church in Taipei, along with selected church sessions in Taoyuan, Taichung and Tainan.
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