The students who have occupied the legislature for ten days are calling for a rally in front of the Presidential Office.
Student groups took over the legislature on March 18 in protest over a controversial trade in services agreement with China. They want the government to renegotiate the agreement and the legislature to pass a law to scrutinize all future agreements with China.
One of the leaders of the occupation movement, Lin Fei-fan, announced the plan for a rally in a press conference on Thursday. He said the rally will begin at 1pm, with no time set for its conclusion. He also said that the occupation of the legislature will continue independent of the rally.
In response, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, Lee Chia-fei, said that the public have the right to voice their opinions. She also said President Ma Ying-jeou is willing to talk to the students without setting any preconditions. Lee said the Presidential Office hopes the standoff can be resolved as soon as possible, so that the legislature can resume its activities.