Protesters Gather Outside Taiwan's Legislature Against Reform Bill
Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered outside Taiwan's legislature for the third time this week to oppose a legislative reform bill they say threatens the country's democracy.
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00:00Well, crowds are growing here with tens of thousands of protesters gathering outside Taiwan's legislature.
00:07And they've been gathering, gradually arriving all throughout the day.
00:12This is the third peaceful protest this week in response to what's been happening inside the legislature
00:19where lawmakers have been discussing a series of controversial bills to expand the assembly's powers.
00:27Now, Taiwan's two main opposition parties which control the legislature
00:33say that they want to pass the bills to increase accountability and reinforce democratic checks and balances.
00:41But we spoke to some protesters here earlier who believe that the bills are being pushed through
00:47without due process and could undermine Taiwan's democracy.
00:57Threats to Taiwan's freedom and sovereignty are in the spotlight right now
01:02as China conducts a series of large-scale military exercises around Taiwan.
01:08And some people say that this is a threat to Taiwan's democracy.
01:14I think it's a threat to Taiwan's democracy.
01:18I think it's a threat to Taiwan's democracy.
01:22A series of large-scale military exercises around Taiwan.
01:26And some people here are worried that conflict in the legislature,
01:31China may use this to make Taiwan vulnerable to influence.
01:47Parallel protests are happening in cities around the country
01:51and lawmakers are expected to stay at the legislature debating late into the night.
01:57And protesters here too say that they'll be here hoping to keep them in check.