Outside parliament building known as Legislative Yuan, protesters gathered all day ballooned to the thousands by around 5pm, carrying signs that said “I despise the parliament”.
“It took so many people’s efforts to get the country out of 38 years of martial law and make it the best democratic country in Asia. But now our parliament is taking a counter-march on democracy,” said retiree Cheng Li-lin.
“The amendments could turn the parliament into a dictatorial entity.”
“I hope the parliament can work in a respectable manner and show respect to procedures … Everyone should stand up (for this),” said Taiwanese drag queen Nymphia Wind – famed for her win on hit reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race – who arrived in support for protesters in her signature yellow.
Student Lin Pei-ying, 19, said she supports parliamentary reform “but not in this manner”.
On Friday, after the parliament fight, DPP supporters mobilised quickly outside the Legislative Yuan to protest the bills and the violence – which local media said left lawmakers from DPP and KMT injured.
