STA Protest, 反服貿!!

Taiwan has been going through a very dark period. First of all, our president has recently signed a trade pact with China, which means our country has been "sold" to them, and that also means our democracy has been taken away. What does this trade pact do to our country? It means that the Chinese can come over and take away our jobs and our homes. What will Taiwan be like?

Nearly three weeks ago, the students of Taiwan have been protesting, gathering around the legislature building, but the protests have been peaceful, which I'm very impressed and happy about, though the media have been saying otherwise. The protesters were sitting down, being organized, helpful to other people, thanking the cops for their hard work, etc. However, despite the peaceful protests by them, the police started beating them. 

March 31st (yesterday) was the biggest protest I have ever attended in my life. The media said five hundred thousand came to the protest, exceeding everybody's expectations. My brother told me that was about two percent of Taiwan's population. I am utterly amazed by the number of people and extremely touched. Taiwan is awesome.

In the high speed railroad train on Saturday morning.

After lunch, the three of us went to the morning market.

My brother must have been in a good mood.

Sunday afternoon: Lunch at a fried rice stand.

On the way to the gathering.

Yes, it was packed with people.

Yes, my mom is ready, folks.

We arrived at the square. The gathering was supposed to start at one o'clock, but there was already people around.

Selling t-shirts: "Taiwan, never give up!"

A group of people from Taichung takes a group photo together.

We walked around the corner and saw some others eating their lunch.

My brother and I took a photo of the crowd.

Yup, this crowd. Students from many universities. We were all supposed to be wearing black.

The media had arrived already.

We walked towards the center of the gathering.

Medical stands at the corner in case of emergencies. I heard someone fainted later that day because of the heat.

Many people were already sitting down.

The media was filming from the top of the crane. He must have felt elated to be up there.

All sorts of signs.

My brother took some pictures from the stand.

Yup, yup, yup. Tons of people.

...all the way from the presidential palace.

These people deliberately sat on the side of the roads so that ambulances or other vehicles can pass through if needed be. 

Completely brilliant.

We returned to the square.

We crossed the street to check out the barb wires.

In case you're wondering, the thing I'm wearing around my forehead says, "Send back the agreement. Save Taiwan."

More people kept going to the protest...

... and more people kept coming.

.. and more from this station.

A crowd gathers at this side as well.

Some people sat in front of the library.

This man pasted some newspaper clips into his board.

My brother and mom took a break from all the walking.

More numbers.

Filling the square.

Cops across the street.

My brother went to take more pictures.

It was so hard to return home, especially with the crowd like this.

Taiwan 加油!!