"Freedom of speech is gone" Hong Kong residents say as government bans protest slogans

Record ID: 1560564

  • Title: "Freedom of speech is gone" Hong Kong residents say as government bans protest slogans
  • Date: 3rd July 2020
  • Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (FILE - JUNE 4, 2020) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) PROTESTERS CHANTING (Cantonese) "RECLAIM HONG KONG, REVOLUTION OF OUR TIME", ALSO TRANSLATED AS "LIBERATE HONG KONG" BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PROTESTER WAVING PRO HONG KONG INDEPENDENCE FLAG WRITTEN USING THE CHINESE CHARACTERS DEEMED ILLEGAL BY THE GOVERNMENT HONG KONG, CHINA (FILE - AUGUST 21, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CHANTING (Cantonese) "RECLAIM HONG KONG, REVOLUTION OF OUR TIMES" HONG KONG, CHINA (FILE - JUNE 9, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS HOLDING UP HONG KONG INDEPENDENCE FLAGS PROTESTERS HOLDING UP HONG KONG INDEPENDENCE FLAGS IN A RALLY IN HONG KONG'S CHATER GARDEN
  • Embargoed: 17th July 2020 10:52
  • Keywords: Beijing China Extradition treaty Hong Kong Human rights National security law Protests Riots
  • Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
  • City: HONG KONG, CHINA
  • Country: Hong Kong
  • Topics: Fundamental Rights/Civil Liberties,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001CL97DC7
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A government statement banning popular protest slogans such as "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" threatens freedom of speech, Hong Kong residents told Reuters on Friday (July 3). The rallying cry appears on placards at rallies, is printed on clothes and accessories and scribbled on post-it notes on walls across the Chinese-ruled city.
    "Is this supposed to mean that the moment the people of Hong Kong stops saying these eight words, then we can turn the situation around?" questioned university student, Ricky Ho, to Reuters. "I don't think it's this way, and that the government knows it."
    Another resident, recent graduate Rico Lau, said the newly imposed security law was too vague. "It appears the meaning is that whatever you do, it could be illegal", he said. "We here in Hong Kong were supposed to have the freedom of speech. And now it is gone."
    According to a government statement released on Thursday (July 2) the slogans connotes separatism or subversion, pointing to crimes that are covered under the new national security law imposed by Beijing. It was unclear whether independent courts would uphold the government's view on the slogan.
    On Wednesday, the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule, police arrested around 370 people during protests over the legislation, with 10 of those involving violations of the new law.
    (Production: Aleksander Solum)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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