Groups like the Taipei Society and Taiwan Association of University Professors, as well as certain academicians and researchers of Academia Sinica all stood out to protest against political repression. As a result, even Tsing Hua University’s president at the time, Liu Chao-shiuan had to come out and accuse the Investigation Bureau of improper administrative procedures. On the 11th, campus protests began popping up in universities across Taiwan. The first sit-in was held at the entrance of NTU. Sunday the 12th coincided with Mother’s Day. That morning, the students moved their sit-in to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Many professors who heard the news also went to show their support. The authoritarian regime, not wanting a repeat of the Wild Lily student movement, sent the riot squad in to forcibly disperse the students and professors. Many professors and students were violently beaten by the police. Professor Chen Shih-meng of NTU’s Department of Economics received the worst of the beatings. The grandson of Chen Pu-lei, Chiang Kai-shek’s chief speechwriter, Chen Shih-meng was born in an influential family loyal to the KMT. Having never before been subjected to such violence, he burst into tears several times in disbelief. Police violence only exacerbated the situation. By the 13th, newspaper clippings about Chen Shih-meng suffering police brutality were pasted all over NTU’s College of Law, outraging many students who previously had no involvement in political move- The Taiwan Independence Association Incident Rescue Coalition. Photographer: Huang Yi-shu May 20, 1991: Those persecuted in the Taiwan Independence Association incident, namely (from the left) Liao Weicheng, Wang Hsiu-hui, Masao Nikar, and Chen Cheng-jan, joined the May 20 March Against Political Persecution after they were released on bail following the Legislative Yuan's swift repeal of the Betrayers Punishment Act. Photographer: Chiu Wan-hsing 78 ments. Student strikes spread across the country like wild flowers. First, student representatives of Tsing Hua University announced a “comprehensive strike”. On the 14th, the student council of NTU’s College of Law also announced a group strike. Students and professors across different universities formed Intellectuals Against Political Persecution and quickly joined the strike, preparing for a long battle. On the same day, the DPP and social activist groups decided to throw in their support. This was the first massive wave of student strikes since the KMT government settled in Taiwan. Seeing the situation getting out of hand, Kao Ming-hui, Deputy Director of the Investigation Bu- reau, who oversaw the Taiwan Independence Association incident, announced his resignation, but it wasn’t enough to quell the people’s anger. On the 15th, the National Student Movement Alliance joined the protest. Nearly 1,000 students and activist groups occupied Taipei Main Station. They had four major demands: “abolish the Betrayers Punishment Act, release the innocent, stop political persecution, and respect academic freedom”. That night, almost 2000 students and professors slept overnight inside Taipei Main Station to strongly demand the abolition of the Betrayers Punishment Act. After students occupied Taipei Main Station, KMT higher-ups relented. 79