The Dark Shadow Shrine

embrace the darkness; that you may see the light nestled within it......

Monday, March 24, 2014

Student Protest in Taipei

After witnessing the Bangkok Shutdown earlier this year (see HERE), I have the honour of witnessing another protest in Taipei last week. I rushed down to the spot upon watching it on the news on TV. True enough, the atmosphere was electrifying, as a stream of buses from all over the country unloaded students to join the protest.....Quite a few were spotted carrying the sunflower, a symbol of their protest, as they want the govt to 'turn to face (and listen to ) them' just as the sunflower turns to face the sun-- a symbol of democratic power, power of the people. Even the university professors joined in to give 'outdoor lectures' to motivate the students and explain the govt's 'conspiracy'. And mind you, they were all very insightful and inspiring lectures. But the cake goes to the student leaders, who mobilise themselves to organise this protest and roster duties  and food arrangements and collection of rubbish. Never seen students so fired up and organised before!!!!

Some background:
The students were protesting against the KMT govt for ratifying a trade service pact signed with China that will allow China to compete favourably in the Taiwanese domestic market. The reaction to this was fast and furious as students throughout the nation mobilised themselves to stage a protest sit-in outside the Parliament House. But things got more 'exciting' as some students climbed over the gates and stormed the Parliament House!!!! (something unprecedented in Taiwan history!) Celebrities like MayDay have come out to support the student protestors. The protest is still ongoing with the govt showing no signs of giving in.
On the outset, this looks like an economic issue, but what lurks behind it is political. The Taiwanese see this opening of doors to Chinese competition in their homeland as a conspiracy or prelude to the reunification of Taiwan with China, or to put it more blatantly, China 'swallowing' up Taiwan. It does not help that the ruling Kuomintang govt led by MaYingJiu has always had a history of being deferential/inclined towards the Chinese authorities. (The Kuomintang were from China after all) This is the 'real' reason why the students are 'standing up' (a song by MayDay) as they want their voice heard, and oppose to the MaYingJiu govt for unilaterally ratifying the trade pact without consulting the people.


Issues related to GP:
-the nature of democracy and freedom -- does it tolerate and condone violence and lawlessness?
-media bias (most of the traditional media are pro-govt and have labelled the protestors as rioters, or even terrorists!)
-the issue of national identity (in this case, the Taiwanese seeing themselves as 'separate' from China)
-the use of media to organise protest...most of the students and resources needed to sustain the protest were mobilized through FaceBook
-celebrity influence and their contributions to society
-pros and cons of globalization -- local economy can be threatened by fierce competition


Some pics:

students staging a sit-in outside parliament house, as the riot police form a barrier

one of the ubiquitous signages that proclaim their protest against the service trade pact with China 

like the one in Bangkok, the student protestors were 'relaxing' away with their handphones, game gadgets, food, chatting....as the riot police keep a watchful eye on them

the façade of the parliament house that was stormed by the students. Some students have broken into the building and occupying the inside. There was a continuous stream of students climbing up the porch with ladder, with their backpacks carrying food and clothes as they prepare to spend the next few days in the building in a bid to pressure the govt to give in...


Here's an article from the Straits Times that reported on the incident when it first broke out last Tue. You want to know that the latest development is that the protest turned violent with the students protestors clashing with the police, resulting in some injured and arrested.....