Since March 18, peaceful protesters, mostly university students, have occupied Taiwan’s Legislature to protest against the unlawful passage of the Cross-Strait Services Trade Agreement with China – a trade deal that is expected to worsen the growing inequality of the Taiwan society and its economic and political dependency on China. The occupation has been continuing with supporters camping both inside and outside the Legislature.

On March 23, 2014, President Ma Ying-jeou responded to Taiwanese citizens’ peaceful protest with a violent crackdown. By turning against and attacking its own citizens the Ma administration has lost its remaining legitimacy. We are deeply saddened that Taiwan’s hard-earned democracy has been trampled on by its own government, and we denounce the use of violence.

1. We demand President Ma to end the violent crackdown, stop provoking the people, and take full responsibility for the administration’s use of violence.

2. We support the protesters’ demand to nullify the Cross-Strait Services Trade Agreement and allow for full democratic participation in cross-strait negotiations.

3. We support the call by civic groups in Taiwan for the Kuomintang government to work with opposition parties and civic groups to resolve the current standoff in a peaceful manner and restore Taiwan's democracy. 

Links to reports on the event –

http://thediplomat.com/2014/03/riot-police-crack-down-on-taiwanese-protesters/​

http://m.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26743794​

http://time.com/35142/taiwan-protests-over-tisa-reveal-china-fears/