HONG KONG (AP) — An appeals court Wednesday granted the Hong Kong government’s request to ban a popular protest song, overturning an earlier ruling and deepening concerns over the erosion of freedoms in the once-freewheeling global financial hub.
“Glory to Hong Kong” was often sung by demonstrators during the huge anti-government protests in 2019. The song was later mistakenly played as the city’s anthem at international sporting events, instead of China’s “March of the Volunteers,” in mix-ups that upset city officials.
Critics have said prohibiting broadcast or distribution of the song further reduces freedom of expression since Beijing launched a crackdown in Hong Kong following the 2019 protests. They have also warned the ban might disrupt the operation of tech giants and hurt the city’s appeal as a business center.
Judge Jeremy Poon wrote that the composer intended for the song to be a “weapon” and so it had become, pointing to its power in arousing emotions among some residents of the city.
Kim Kardashian being booed by crowd at Tom Brady roast edited out of final Netflix cut
Mississippi lawmakers quietly kill bills to restrict legal recognition of transgender people
Sports Emmy Awards will honor 8 individuals as Gold and Silver Circle inductees
Bayern stars Musiala, Sané fit enough to start against Real Madrid in Champions League
Osaka plays solidly in her opening match at the Italian Open. Darderi eliminates Shapovalov
Terms for Mike Tyson's fight with Jake Paul include heavier gloves, shorter rounds
Twins bring closer Jhoan Duran back from injured list with strained oblique muscle
Whoopi Goldberg fights back tears as The View host defends 'mad' student protesters
US's largest public utility ignores warnings in moving forward with new natural gas plant
Kentucky man on death row for killing 3 children and raping their mother has died
Selena Gomez says she is releasing her pent
Lucknow beats Mumbai by 4 wickets to rise to third in IPL