Democracy at 4am

Before Occupation Closed-door agreements incited doubtsMa's government signed a free trade agreement with China in 2010 called the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA). Within the framework of ECFA, Ma proceeded with the Cross-Strait Service Trade Pact (CSSTP) with China on 2013-06-21 during the Ninth Conference of Both Sides of Taiwan Strait Summit. The problem was that this entire process gives off the perception of being "under the table". It was later revealed that the pact did not even reach consensus within the KMT.

On 2013-06-20,Hao Ming-yi(Rex Hao), a national policy advisor to the President, wrote an open letter against the Cross-Strait Service Trade Pact. Hao warned the public of risks to national security and jobs in the publishing industry. The letter aroused wide spread discussion. Wang Jin-pyng, the incumbent President of the Legislative Yuan, held cross-caucus negotiations, and later openly requested the Executive Yuan not to put the CSSTA into effect until the public hearings were hosted and the provisions were reviewed clause-by-clause.

KMT Legislator Chang Ching-chung planned to host 8 public hearings in 3 days. Such crudity incited disagreement from opposition parties and civil rights groups. Finally, the parties agreed that the provisions should not be reviewed in the session.

President Ma attended the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) annual meeting. He stated that the government would ensure the CSSTA to be reviewed and ratified by June 2014.

Soon after the public hearings had been held, the rotating committee chair, DPP legislator Chen Chi-mai, held a sitting for the deliberation of the pact. However, KMT legislators strongly boycotted the sittings to "prevent a DPP boycott in the name of deliberation." The sitting turned into a fight club and the process was suspended.

During the KMT's turn to host the review sitting, the brawl continued. Chang Ching-chung, the sitting’s host and caller, announced next to the restroom that the Joint Committee had finished the review and the CSSTA should move forward to the Executive Yuan. Chang made this announcement in only 30 seconds. Not a single clause was reviewed in the process.

Service Trade Pact Incites Opposition, Non-Governmental Organizations Protest Before the ParliamentAs a response to the forcible means by which the KMT pushed the legislation through committee, Democratic Front and other NGOs hosted a public demonstration they called "Defend Democracy Tonight." The gathering was held on Jinan S. Rd. (next to the legislature) and more than 500 people attended to voice their support.

Students Broke the Police Blockade, Rammed in the ParliamentTowards the end of the demonstration, more than 200 students breached the police blockade and then stormed into the legislature via the Jinan S. Road gate under the leadership of two graduate students (Chen Wei-ting, from NTHU and Lin Fei-fan, from NTU) and the cross-university organization Black Island Nation Youth Frontier.

Students Declared the Success of Congress Occupation.Lin Fei-Fan led more than 10 students into the congress chamber. The front gate was opened in order to let more students in. The students hung banners and billboards over the rostrum and declared that the occupation has succeeded.

Students: Occupy until the KMT apologizesParliament police tried to evict the students. After a 30 minute standoff, Lin Fei-Fan, the chief commander of the protest declared that the occupation would last until the KMT issues an apology.

The First Assault Wave FailedDuring the police’s first wave of attempt at removing the students, protesters blocked the doorways with barricades made of furniture, crying "Reject Fu-Mao (ie. Cross-Strait Service Trade Pact)! Defend democracy!" DPP lawmaker Kuan Bi-ling, Yeh Yi-jin and others helped stop the police.

The Second Assault Wave failed, Riot Police GatheredThe police attempted to remove the students for a second time. The confrontation lasted for 30 minutes, until DPP legislator Duan Yi-kan heavily intervened. During this time, riot police gathered outside the parliament, preparing for the next wave.

The Police Failed the Third Wave of AssaultThe police tried to pull students out from the entrance on Jinan Road. TSU legislator Chou Ni-an blocked the entrance with her body. The police could not arrest legislators, so they retreated for the third time.

Students Ask Ma to Apologize, Demand Premier Jiang to Resign and Police to RetreatThe students held a press conference, demanding President Ma to apologize, the police to retreat from parliament and Premier Jiang Yi-huah to resign. Lin Fei-fan spoke to the students in the congress chamber: "This is the first time the people of Taiwan have entered the congress chamber. We did it." Lin demanded direct conversations with the President.

Ministry of the Interior: No timetable for evictionStudents in the congress chamber continued sitting in. The Ministry of the Interior stated there is no timetable for evicting the students. National Police Agency Chief, Director-General Wang Cho-chiun said that it was difficult for the police to evict the students because legislators were blocking the entrances to the congress chamber.

Student Groups Made an Appeal to Congress to Not Enforce Police PowerNTU Student Association and 4 more student groups jointly appealed to Wang Jin-ping to neither enforce congressional police power, nor evict the students and civilians violently. They hope the ruling party can adhere to its promise of reviewing the CSSTA under proper legislative procedures (clause-by-clause), as originally envisaged in an inter-party agreement.

Students Asked President Ma and Congressional Speaker Wang to Respond to Their Demands On-SiteThe student leader Lin Fei-fan stated that President Ma should promptly respond to their manifesto and Speaker Wang should answer public concerns as well as withdraw police forces in the Congress. If no responses were received before noon on March 21st, students would take additional steps.

College Faculty and Students Mobilize Support via FacebookStudents from more than 100 universities mobilized support online against the CSSTA, while National Taiwan University Professor Fan Yun and 43 professors relocated to the Legislative Yuan, teaching outdoor classes on the topic of democracy, civil disobedience and human rights.

Speaker Wang: Student Voices are HeardIn a public statement, Speaker Wang stated that all parties have heard the students and their manifestos. He would now negotiate, communicate and review through every possible channel for a solution in response to concerns from the students and the public.

Ma: Conference between Yuans. Students: Refuse Negotiations behind Closed DoorsDue to the Article 44 in the Constitution of the Republic of China, President Ma planned to meet with Vice President Wu, Speaker Wang and Premier Jiang to work out a solution. Student leader Lin Fei-fan disagreed with this arrangement, stating "This secret negotiation behind closed doors is a completely unacceptable response."

Students Reaffirm Non-Violent PrinciplesStudents occupying the legislative Yuan established common rules such as maintaining a non-violent demonstration, no vandalizing, recycling and maintaining peace and reason. They cleaned up the environment, and requested people to smoke outdoors.

Students: We Aren't Enemies, Mr. PresidentStudent leader Lin Fei-fan stated that the government should reject CSSTA before an ultimatum. He reiterated that concerned students and civilians are not rioters and should not be treated as an enemy or threat to the government. Demonstrators are always open to conversation and waiting for a positive response.

Wang refused to attend Inter-Yuan conference, no response from Ma on Student's UltimatumPresident Ma planned to hold a conference with Premier Jiang and Speaker Wang, but Wang refused to attend due to concerns regarding the student movement. Ma did not respond to any of the student demands before ultimatum.

52 University Presidents Hope for a ResolutionThe Association of National Universities of Taiwan, organized by 52 public universities, issued a statement that voiced their concerns about the students occupying Legislative Yuan and hope for both sides to communicate in order to find a resolution as soon as possible.

Students Raised the Scale of Demonstration, While the Occupation Continues. No Response from MaDue to not receiving a response from President Ma, the students decide to expand the demonstration. The student movement leaders criticizes Ma's government of losing its legitimacy, and calls all citizens to organize sit-ins in front of KMT offices around Taiwan. "Occupy Congress, No Withdrawal," shout the students.

Conversation Ends After Premier Rejects Two PrerequisitesPremier Jiang visits protest site for a conversation with student leader Lin Fei-fan. However, two prerequisites set by Lin, including rejecting CSSTA and establishing a formal monitoring mechanism for future agreements with China, were rejected by Jiang. Lin asks Jiang to leave. While Jiang is speaking, student leader Chen Wei-Ting shouts "No to CSSTA" and "Ma, talk to us" with the students.

Premier: Conversations Are Only Possible Without PrerequisitesAfter the conversation with students ended in boos, Premier Jiang held a press conference in the Administrative Yuan. He is encouraged by President Ma to communicate with students, says Jiang. While he recognizes students are concerned about their future, he disagrees with the occupation of the Legislative Yuan. He reminds the public that ideal conversations are only possible without prerequisites.

Premier Refuses to Reject CSSTA, Students Insist on DemonstrationStudent leader Chen Wei-ting states that it is disappointing that the Premier cannot even respond to two basic requests. Students will continue demonstrating until positive responses from the government are received.

President Ma Holds International Press ConferencePresident Ma held an international press conference, where he refuses to reject CSSTA and questions "is this the democracy we want?" One journalist asks about legislative process and justification, but Ma shirks responsibilities to the Legislative Yuan. When another journalist questions if the CSSTA is signed under pressure from Beijing, Ma looks astonished and answers, "absolutely not."

Students Hold Four Appeals After Repetitive Statements from MaSunflower Movement is initiated because of illegal legislative process, says student leader Lin Fei-fan, and protesters are frustrated that Ma disregards public opinions in his repetitive statements. The students have four appeals: a citizen constitutional congress, establishment of a formal monitoring mechanism for future agreements with China, delay CSSTA process until monitoring mechanism is formalized and promises from all legislators to act without restrictions from their political party.

Students Raid Executive YuanFrustrated by responses from officials, over 200 students raided the Executive Yuan with cardboard and bed sheets to climb over barricades. 40 police officers were at the scene but could not stop the crowds. More than 1,000 students occupied the Executive Yuan for non-violent demonstrations.

Police Gather for Clearing1,500 police officers gathered and stormed the Executive Yuan with water cannons, preparing to drag away all students in the building. Over 1,000 students occupied the front yard, while 6,000 citizens gathered outside the Executive Yuan.

The First Wave of Forced EvacuationRiot police armed with batons and shields forced about 600 students out of Beiping E. Road and the rear gate of the Executive Yuan. 23 students were arrested as criminals. One of the students was struck by a police shield in the left eye, causing wounds and severe bleeding.

The Second Wave of Forced EvacuationThe police initiated the second wave of forced evacuation, despite the students maintaining the principles of non-violent demonstration by lying on the ground, arm in arm, crying "Reject Fu-Mao (Cross-Strait Service Trade Pact)," and accusing the police of violating the constitution. The police asked the students to retreat with bullhorns, forcefully dragging students, and attacking them with shields. The police evicted some 300 students on Beiping E. Rd.

The Third Wave of Forced EvacuationsRiot police forcefully evicted people on Tianjin St. and Beijing E. Rd. Within 30 minutes, some 200 students occupying the courtyard of the Executive Yuan were forcefully evacuated. Many civilians escaped with blood all over their faces, telling the media the police had forcefully attacked peaceful protesters.

The Fourth Wave of Forced EvacuationsThe police evicted unarmed civilians for the fourth time, carrying them away one by one. Some evicted civilians came back to the Executive Yuan, intending to raid it again, but were forced to leave.

The Fifth Wave of Forced Evacuations, the police isolated the media from civilians to attack themThe police forcefully evacuated the sit-in students at the front gate. The water cannons came in, blasting the unarmed, peaceful students who linked arms and chanted slogans loudly. Inside the Executive Yuan, protesters were outnumbered by the police. The police then forced the media out of the Executive Yuan, isolating the protesters within the first and second floor of the building. Riot police then attacked students, ignoring that the students were unarmed and were not fighting back.

The Sixth Wave of Forced Evacuations - Water Cannons blasted the CrowdThe police started the sixth wave of forceful evacuations by dispatching water cannons to blast the crowd at the front and side gates of the Executive Yuan.

Wei Yang, NTHU Graduate Student, was cuffed and arrestedWei Yang, graduate student of Institute of Sociology, NTHU, came to support the protesters at the Executive Yuan. He was accused by the police of being the chief commander of the occupation and was arrested. Before the arrest, Wei Yang wrote on Facebook: "I'm sorry, I know it is irresponsible to mobilize people like this… We took over the Executive Yuan, not only to relieve the pressure on our comrades at the Legislative Yuan, but to show our resolution to the Ma government."

The Executive Yuan Completely Cleared OutAfter a long night of forced evacuation, the Executive Yuan was completely cleared out. Crowds gathered outside the East and West gates, confronting the police. Since civilians continue to gather, attacking the police with stones and water bottles, riot police dispatched water cannons for the third time, blasting the crowd to drive them back to Qingdao E. Rd.

Premier Jiang denies the bloody suppressions and disregards the violencePremier Jiang accused the students' actions as "a plot planned in advance." He stated that the movement has already become out of control. However, despite several live videos of police violently attacking civilians on the Internet, Premier Jiang insisted that it was a distortion of facts when some media illustrated the protection of Executive Yuan as a bloody crackdown. "The police simply patted their shoulders and lifted them," quoted Premier Jiang. Internet videos posted by the protesters were constantly reported to be removed by anonymous users.

Students Condemned Premier Jiang for Violent CrackdownChen Wei-ting, student leader of the anti-CSSTA movement, condemned the government for punishing students as a warning to the public. He wept bitterly at the press conference. Lin Fei-fan criticized Premier Jiang as not qualified to be a professor (Jiang used to be a professor in Political Science) and the Premier of Taiwan. He added, "Using violence to crack down on civilians will be your epitaph and what you are known for in history."

Failure to Reach Consensus in Legislative Yuan.Facing a deadlock in Legislative Yuan, Speaker Wang Jing-pyng, convened both KMT and DPP parties to a conference between caucuses. However, the two confronting parties failed to reach consensus.

Wei Yang Was Released Without BailWei Yang was ordered back by Taipei district court. The court ruled that there was no evidence to support the allegations against him. When he walked out, dozens of supporters cheered and his mother and sister were waiting for him. Once Wei Yang saw his mother, he hugged her and the tears turned into a smile.

Crowd-Funding raised $6.7 Million for anti-CSSTA ads within 3 hours11 netizens called for crowd-funded newspaper ads in Apple Daily and The New York Times to spread awareness of the Sunflower Movement via crowd-funding platform flyingV. The slogan "Why are they here?" addressed their reasons for protest their opposition towards the behind-the-doors negotiation of the CSSTA. The ad emphasized that "blood has been shed on the ground, but the future is too bright for us to abandon it." The first 1.5 million dollars for the front page ad on Apple Daily was raised in 35 minutes. Within 3 hours, 6.7 million dollars had been raised to also run a front page ad in The New York Times. 3,621 people contributed to the cause.

Students insist on Legalizing Mechanism to Supervise Cross-Strait PactsLin Fei-fan stated that there aren't any laws to supervise and review cross-strait agreements at a press conference held in the Legislative Yuan. Students requested the establishment of laws on supervising agreements between cross-strait agreements. Students also requested to meet Speaker Wang again.

Ma: Willing to Meet the Students Without PreconditionsPresident Ma stated his willingness to invite the student representatives to discussions at the Presidential Office in order to resolve the current dilemma and allow congress to operate normally.

Students Reply: Conversations With Ma Should Cover Supervising Regulations On the AgreementLin Fei-fan said students welcome President Ma to have conversations with them without any preconditions. Lin stated that the students would like to discuss establishing laws governing cross-strait trade pacts. Chen Wei-ting said if there is no compromise on the issue, students request to set up the laws supervising the pact, including an investigation on the pact itself.

Cross-Party Consultation Has No Progress, Students Reject Ma's InvitationSince the cross-party negotiations continually fail to reach a consensus, students accuse President Ma of using his power to control the parties, causing the pact's inability to be executed in the Legislative Yuan. The students condemned his lack of sincerity and requested Ma to not control KMT legislators' right to express their will in order to establish laws on governing the pact.

President Ma Agrees to Hold a Public Conversation with the StudentsThe Presidential Office released a statement regarding President Ma’s agreement to talk to the students without preconditions, and he would choose an open and transparent situation accompanied by various media. The Presidential Office has been waiting on an official response from the student representatives.

Secretary General of Executive Yuan: Premier Jiang Ordered Police to Evict ProtestersPolice Agency Director-General Wang Cho-Chiun and Secretary General of Executive Yuan Lee Shu-Chuan reported on the “bloody crackdown on unarmed students” during a meeting with the Legislature’s Internal Administration Committee. Lee confirmed that it was Premier Jiang who gave the order to have the police evict the protesters.

Police Partially Apologized for the Use of ViolenceUnder DPP legislator Kuan Bi-Ling’s interrogation, National Police Agency Director General Wang admitted that the violent eviction could have been replaced with nonviolent methods, but the commander on-the-spot didn’t apply them. Wang conceded that the process of law enforcement had flaws, which impacted all citizens, so he was willing to partially apologize.

President Ma: The Examination of the CSSTA is the Strictest in HistoryAfter nine months of questioning by the general public on the nature of the closed door negotiation of CSSTA, President Ma emphasized for the first time in front of the KMT Central Standing Committee that the CSSTA was never a closed door agreement. Ma said, “CSSTA was examined word by word before it was voted on. It was the strictest way to exam, so it was not passed behind closed doors.”

The Executive Yuan Clarify That The Eviction Was Non-violentThe Executive Yuan representative revealed a video of the eviction on March 24, clarifying that the eviction was not violent. However, many online videos showed that part of the police force not only used sticks to hit civilians on their head, but also used protective shields to bash peaceful protesters. Also, there were online videos verifying that the damaged public property was destroyed by the police, not the students who were condemned by Premier Jiang.

64.9% Approves Students OccupationKMT raised the doubt that the student movement might not fully represent the majority of Taiwan; however, many recent polls show that there is significant public support for the occupation movement and the students’ primary demands.

• Approval rate of students’ occupation: 64.9% (Business Today )
• Agreement rate of the fact that the occupation is protecting democracy: 63% (TISR)
• Approval rate of which a law is needed before passing the trade pact: 69.8% (Apple Daily)
• Agreement rate to the fact that the mass expulsion at Executive Yuan is conducted improperly: 58.06% (Apple Daily)
• Appoval rate of President Ma: 16%; disapproval: 69.4% (TISR)
• Approval rate of Premier Jian: 15.9%; disapproval: 65.5% (TISR)

The Third Cross-party Consultation FailedWang Jin-pyng, the incumbent President of the Legislative Yuan called for the third cross-party consultation, but there is still no progress.

Students Expand the Protest into a MarchStudent leaders asked for nation-wide participation to march on Ketagalan Boulevard, at 1pm, March 30th. The march will end at 7pm and the students will remain at the Legislative Yuan.

President Ma Ying-jeou: Everything is NegotiableLi Jia-fei, the spokesperson for the president's office, said that President Ma is willing to invite student representatives to his office to exchange opinions and discuss issues on the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement with China "without any preconditions."

Premier Jiang :The CSSTA should neither be withdrawn, nor deliberated after new legislation.Premier Jiang declared that he “[disagrees] with the fact that it (the CSSTA) should neither be withdrawn, nor be deliberated after new legislation”. This statement apparently denied the students’ appeal, even though Ma just claimed “everything is negotiable” just one day ago.

Volunteers are making sure everyone remains hydrated. Crowds are peaceful, energetic and hopeful.

People around the world took action to support the occupy parliament movement in Taiwan.

More than 350,000 Black Shirt protesters showed up on streets.

Lin Fei-fan: We Are Making National HistoryStudent leader Lin Fei-fan speaks on Ketagalan Boulevard: "We have occupied the parliament for a full 13 days. We have shed many tears; some of us outside the parliament have shed blood; all of us have been through much suffering. Many comrades have said at times, they wish they could go back home. But we did not leave, we hung on, and we secured the parliament. Those of us outside of the Legislative Yuan endured sun, wind and rain for 13 days. Our action has made national history that can never be obliterated." Lin Fei-fan's Full Speech

The rocking band “Fire Ex” sang the theme song “Island's Sunrise” with protesters on the square.

Spokesperson: President Ma says students should leave the Congress ASAP"The president acknowledged the peaceful and rational rally today, and carefully listens to the demands made by the people. President Ma hopes students leave the Congress as soon as possible in order to restore the Congress to its function," said Lee Jia-fei, Ma's spokesperson, in response to the rally.

Executive Yuan: Review Cross-Strait Pact Oversight Bill Thursday at Earliest.The Executive Yuan is expected to review the draft bill for cross-straight agreement supervisory mechanism at the Cabinet council meeting on Thursday (4/3) at the earliest, Executive Yuan Spokesperson Sun Lih-Chyuan said. Student leader Lin Fei-fan said that the civilian version of the Draft Bill is already in the hands of the Procedural Committee of the Legislative Yuan. The Draft Bill that Executive Yuan to submit on Thursday is not the version student refer to.

The Self-Declared student leaders at the Executive Yuan released on bailChen Ting-hao, student leader at the Executive Yuan on 3/24, was released on a $NT50,000 bail. Student leader Chen Wei-ting stated that social activism should not be considered a crime, and people participating in social reforms in democratic society should not be considered criminals.

6th Cross-Party Negotiation Failed

Scapegoat or Not? KMT Legisators apologize for the CSSTA Forcing-ThroughOwning to the backlash caused by KMT legislator’s Chang Ching-chung passing CSSTA in 30 seconds, the director of KMT policies Lin Hung-chih, along with Chang, gave a public apology tonight (31). Lin also said that he has resigned from his position as the KMT party whip, and submitted his resignation to President Ma Ying-jeou, who is also the chairman of the KMT.

China’s gangster proxy threatens Sunflower MovementGangster-turned-politician "White Wolf" Chang An-le led pro-pact rally with hundreds of people to retake the legislature. He demended that the students who have been "illegally" occupying the legislative chamber "return the legislature". Being blocked by 500 riot police, the rally couldn't enter the chamber, and was then ended at 17:00.

Hundreds of Students to protest on CSSTA reviewDisregard the apology made to the public for the 30-second controversy on 17th March, KMT legislator Chang Ching-chung, convener of the legislative Yuan's joint committee this week, has placed CSSTA on the agenda to review the deal. Nearly one thousand students gathered to protest against Chang who they said has lost legitimacy to serve as convener for CSSTA review. Oppositional party DPP had boycott the meeting by blocking the meeting room.

DPP Legislators block pact reviewA review of CSSTA by Legislative Yuan's Internal Administration Committee was blocked by Democratic Progressive Party legislators who locked the door of the meeting room to prevent KMP legislators and meeting convener Chang Ching-Chung, from entering the room. DPP claimed that Chang is no longer suitable to schedule a review of the trade pact after the 30-second controversy on 17th March.

Cabinet Unveils Bill to Oversee Cross-Strait PactsThe Cabinet unveiled a draft bill on establishing an oversight mechanism for cross-strait agreements, and said the bill heeded protesters’ calls for a mechanism to monitor cross-strait deals, but that the service pact they want it to apply to is exempt.

Students: Cabinet Version of Draft Oversight Law is a Mere FormalityStudent leader Chen Wei-Ting said that the Cabinet version of draft oversight law is a mere formality that intends for on-site legalization. Chen criticized that the Cabinet version doesn't respond to protester's demand, and is totally unacceptable.

Premier Explains National Affairs Conference on Economics and TradeIn reponse to one of the student's demand of calling for Citizen's Constitutional Assembly Conference, Premier Jiang Yi-huah explained preparations for a national affairs conference on economics and trade. The government is planning to first hold regional conferences in northern, central, southern and eastern Taiwan from late April to mid-May. Each session will invite 120 representatives from industries, government, academia, research institutes as well as civic groups. The national-level conference will be held early June. The government will remain open about the general topics, who to invite, and the rate of progress. Impartial members of society will also be invited to serve on an advisory panel.

"Appendectomy Project" Activated, Students gathered to recall KMT LegislatorsHundreds of students and other activists marched through the streets of Banciao in New Taipei City calling for recall of the KMT legislator Lin Hung-chih, Wu Yu-Sheng, Chang Ching-Chung and Lin Te-fu who they said blindly follow Ma's orders instead of listening to public opinion.

Six Thousand Riot Police in PositionDPP Legislator Lin Shu-fen pointed that Ma's government has ordered 6,000 riot police to gear up and move to Legislature Yuan. Thousands of protestors then gathered outside of the Legislature Yuan to protect the students. Executive Yuan later clarified that there's is no eviction in place.

Seventeen Worker Unions Come Out Against CCSTASeventeen worker unions released a joint statement stating their belief that the CSSTA will not improve the current hardships of the working class, calling on all workers to join their protest on 1st of May, the Labor Day, to voice their disapproval of the pact and protect the rights of working class people.

Students Demand Government to Give Official Response to "People's Council Report"Students compiled the deliberation result generated by the three "People's Council" today, and demand government to give official response to the report. Student leader Lin Fei-fan said that the "People's Council" is a comprehensive review of the CCSTA in the form of group discussions taken by more than 1,000 citizens, and a deliberating procedure that allows the people to actually participate in order to make up for the flaws of a representative system, improve the quality of decision-making, and restore the legitimacy of democracy in Taiwan.

"Appendectomy Project" Continues. Protesters Demand Recall of KMT Legislator Wu Yu-Sheng Hundreds of protesters gathered in New Taipei City's Tamsui to continue the "Appendectomy Project" which demand the recall of KMT Legislator Wu Yu-Sheng. Wu, along with other three KMT legislators, has been named by the students as one of the nation's "Four Major Bandits" for following President Ma's commands instead of the people's voice.

Students Launch Three "People's Council" to Review Cross-Strait Pact Monitoring ActStudents of Sunflower Movement launched three "People's Council" which drew more than 1,000 citizens to participate in. Scholars and experts explained the major difference between the Citizen's version and Executive Yuan's version of cross-strait agreement monitoring act, and then held discussion in 19 groups.

Wang Vows Monitoring Law before Pact ReviewLegislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng visited the students in Legislature Yuan. He promised in his open announcement to enact a law monitoring cross-strait pacts with before the legislature reviews the CSSTA.

KMT is 'shocked,' does not endorse Wang's promiseThe Director of KMT policies Lin Hung-Chi said that he was not informed of Wang's statement before it is announced. Lin said that the statement will be interpreted as approval of "Legislation before review" by society, which is against KMT's policy of "Legislation and review simultaneously".

Students Acknowledge Wang's Statement a Substantial ProgressStudents of the Sunflower Movement considered Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-Pyng to have made a positive response to the foremost demand of "Legislation before review", and expect the ruling and opposition parties to follow Wang's example and carry out the constitutional rights of legislative self-discipline and supervision.

Presidential Office: Not Informed of Wang's VisitLi Jia-fei, the spokesperson for the Presidential Office, said that the office was not informed of Wang's visit to Legislature Yuan.

Students: Walk out of the Chamber on 4/10 to go grassroots.On the 21th day of occupation, student leader Chen Wei-Ting declared that the movement has completed its task at this phase, and has achieved substantial progress on all four of the students’ major demand. Chen said that students have decided to walk out of the chamber and walk to all corners of Taiwan to sow the seeds of this movement. Chen said that the next step is to initialize grassroots movement and to call on legislators from all parties to fulfill their responsibilities in moving forward legislation for a cross-strait oversight mechanism, and accede to the voice of Taiwan’s majority in halting review of CSSTA before legislation is passed. Students also call on opposition parties and their caucuses in the legislature to truly take up the responsibility of keeping the ruling party in check, and stop the Ma government from damaging our country even further. Moreover, students demand that the civilian version of the oversight mechanism be taken into deliberation, and that the version proposed by the Executive Yuan be stopped on the legislative floor.

Full article of students' statement

Netizen: You Protect Democracy, We Repair the Legislature To repair the damage done to the legislature Yuan’s furniture and facility during occupation, netizen summoned thousands of citizens who specialize in construction, interior, furniture repair and electricity on internet within 8 hours. Students in the Legislature began to clean up the chamber.

Free Taiwan Front Coalition to Stay Outside Legislative YuanA coalition which calls itself the Free Taiwan Front, consisting of mainly pro-independence youth and civil groups who represent a more hawkish perspective in the student movement, said they would be staying in front of the Legislative Yuan in Taipei to continue supervising the institutionalization of a cross-strait agreement oversight mechanism after the students leave the legislative chamber tomorrow

Student Leader: This is not the full stop of the movementStudent leaser Chen Wei-Ting said that protesters will hold a major event outside the Legislature before departure on 4/10 evening. He said that handing back the legislature is not the full stop of the movement, but more like a comma. The movement will continue and flourish all over the island.

Three Institutes of the Academia Sinica to Preserve Sunflower Movement ArtifactsIn light of the Sunflower Movement’s impact on Taiwan’s social and political developments, the Institute of Sociology, the institute of History and Philology, and the Institute of Taiwan History of the Academic Sinica wish to preserve for posterity artifacts (including placards, declarations, and artwork) inside the Legislative Yuan related to the Movement.

Student Activists Depart Legislative YuanThe occupation of the Legislative Yuan drew to an end today as student-led activists filed out of the Legislature and passed out sunflowers to the cheering crowds, vowing to spread the movement throughout Taiwan.

Before leaving the Assembly Hall at 6:00 p.m., the student protesters announced that their departure did not mean that they were giving up on their beliefs and their demands of the government, saying that the demonstrations against the Cross-Strait Trade in Services Agreement would spread throughout Taiwan.

“I would like to stress that leaving here does not mean that we are giving up or backing down. In fact, this movement for democracy that began on March 18 is a continuation of Taiwan’s history of resistance and the quest for freedom that has been ongoing for more than 100 years. We will continue the history and we will never back down or give up,” said student leader Lin Fei Fan.