TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Protesters gathered outside the Legislative Yuan in Taipei on Friday to oppose a raft of legislation from the KMT, which controls the lawmaking body.
Around noon a crowd of around 5,000 protestors associated with the “Bluebird Movement” gathered outside the building, reported CNA. Police responded swiftly to prevent them from breaching the Legislative Yuan, with officers enforcing a perimeter around the building by 12:20 p.m.
The protesters gathered in response to DPP lawmakers who called for public support to prevent the KMT from passing three amendments. The bills, if passed, will significantly alter laws governing the recall of elected officials, the operations of the Constitutional Court, and the central government’s budget.

Conflict between police and protestors came on the heels of chaotic scenes inside the Legislative Yuan earlier in the day. DPP lawmakers initially tried to barricade the central chamber on Thursday evening, which led to scuffles on Friday morning when KMT lawmakers retook the rostrum.
The clash outside the Legislative Yuan reached its peak during a 40-minute period when some police barricades were knocked down, leading to pushing and shoving between officers and protestors.
Several DPP lawmakers and Taipei City councilors were present among the crowd of Bluebird protesters, per CNA. DPP legislator Wang Shi-chien (王世堅) criticized the police officers’ conduct, and fellow DPP lawmaker Shen Bo-yang (沈伯洋) called for more members of the public to gather.
The Bluebird Movement formed earlier this year following legislative elections that saw the KMT take control of the Legislative Yuan. In May, tens of thousands of protesters gathered to protest KMT-backed legislation to expand the powers of the Legislative Yuan, which critics say would limit the power of the Executive Yuan and the presidency.

