Dozens injured as protesters hurl rocks, bricks and full water bottles in Taipei streets
Thousands of pro-independence supporters in Taiwan, hurling rocks, bricks and full water bottles, clashed with police yesterday in a protest against mainland negotiator Chen Yunlin in which dozens were injured.
Blowing air horns and chanting slogans through loudhailers, the protesters shouted, 'Safeguard our sovereignty' and 'Get lost, communist bandit Chen' as they rallied near the Taipei Guest House, where Mr Chen was to meet Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou.
The protesters, mobilised by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), turned violent when they found Mr Ma had met Mr Chen and left the meeting venue after bringing the scheduled time forward from yesterday afternoon to the morning.
'Back off. Back off,' they shouted, as they pushed down four layers of barbed-wire barricades, blocking one access to the presidential office.
Despite repeated appeals for peace and calm by DPP organisers, protesters attacked police with clubs and bricks, leaving at least 42 officers injured, Taipei police said.
Police precinct chief Tsai Chuang-po, whose lips were bloodied after he was hit in the face by an object, shouted: 'Peace. There's no need to get violent.' Another officer suffered an eye injury when one of the lenses of his glasses shattered.
