At night on March 19th, 2014, 400 students occupied the Legislative Yuan in Taiwan to protest the Service Trade Agreement with China. The Agreement raises national security implications and poses major risks to Taiwan's economy. Over 10,000 students have joined the protests in peaceful sit-ins, galvanized by strong opposition to the government's secret negotiations and handling of the Agreement. Professors, musicians, lawyers, doctors and tens of thousands of people from all walks of life have joined the protests in support. After the President and ruling party failed to respond, the students expanded their protest at 4am on March 24th. The authorities sent police to remove the peaceful protesters with batons, riot shields, belts and water cannons, beating them into submission. Police brutality resulted in multiple injuries to the protesters, who only had their bodies to shield themselves. The media, too, were removed from the scene.
