TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Over 30,000 people gathered outside the Legislative Yuan (立法院) on Tuesday (May 21) to protest against Taiwan's parliamentary reform bill, marking a significant escalation in public dissent.
The demonstration, which continued from a session that began on May 17, saw severe clashes between different political factions within the Legislative Yuan. This mass mobilization was sparked by a call to action from civil groups on May 20, under the banner "Democracy in Retreat, Citizens to the Rescue," urging the public to assemble and voice their opposition.
Public Outcry and Political Response
The protest saw a diverse group of participants, including high school students, who joined the ranks after the rain ceased.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Huang Jie (黃捷) took to Facebook on Tuesday evening to share aerial photos of the scene, stating that as the rain lightened, high school students took to the streets, highlighting the determination of Taiwanese people to protect their democracy.
Meanwhile, critics at the event directed their dissatisfaction towards Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) of the Taiwan People's Party (民眾黨), a leading figure in the Sunflower Student Movement (太陽花學運), indicating a divided opinion among the protesters.
Notable Figures and Controversies
The protest also attracted well-known personalities such as city councilor Miao Po-ya (苗博雅) and former councilor Chiu Wei-chieh (邱威傑), who were seen participating in the rally.
Additionally, the presence of "Bailingguo News" podcast hosts Kylie Wang and Ken Young sparked controversy due to their previous mocking comments about the Sunflower Student Movement, raising questions about their motives among attendees.
As Taiwan stands at a crossroads, the widespread participation in this protest underscores the public's deep concern over the direction of parliamentary reforms. With the Legislative Yuan facing both internal conflicts and external pressures, the future of these reforms remains uncertain, reflecting the broader challenges of balancing progress with democratic integrity.