The Cabinet says gangster interference against the ongoing student movement will not be tolerated.
The Cabinet made the comments in a press conference on Wednesday. Just a day earlier, former gang leader Chang An-lo, known as the “White Wolf”, organized a counter-rally outside the legislature. The legislature has been occupied since March 18 by student protestors opposed to a controversial trade in services agreement with China.
During the counter-rally, Chang, who now heads a political party that advocates unification with China, demanded that the students leave the legislature. Minor scuffles broke out as the pro-China crowd tried to force its way through a police cordon and into the legislature.
Cabinet spokesman Sun Lih-chyun said that people have the freedom to voice their opinions, but this must be done within legal limits. He also said that the government will not sit idly by.
“Protestors against the trade in services agreement have been occupying the legislature for over two weeks," said Sun. "The government respects the legislature’s autonomy, so we abide by the legislature’s decision on how to deploy the police force. As to social order outside the legislature, the government has instructed the National Police Agency to do all it can. We do not condone the alleged interference of gang members, nor do we agree with any speeches and actions that intensify clashes.”
Also on Wednesday, the ruling party, the Kuomintang, condemned Chang’s action, saying that it is against all forms of violence.