The ballad contains lyrics that reference the phrase “liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” a protest slogan that has been already outlawed in 2020 for what the government and courts have declared are the phrase’s secessionist and subversive connotations.
Users in the US cannot purchase the song on Apple Music either, although it also still yields search results on the platform.
Following its 1997 handover to China, Hong Kong was promised key freedoms and autonomy to run its own affairs.
The head of Amnesty International’s China team, Sarah Brooks, described the government’s move to outlaw the song as “absurd.”“The Hong Kong government must end its increasingly fervent crackdown on freedom of expression.
Playing the song in public in Hong Kong is now fraught with legal risk.
Persons:
Hong Kong ”, ”, “ ThomasDGX, Hong Kong, Hong Kong’s, John Lee –, –, Sarah Brooks, ” Brooks, Hong Kongers, Carl Court, Queen Elizabeth II
Organizations:
CNN, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Google, Department of Justice, RTHK, Amnesty, “, Volunteers
Locations:
Hong Kong, United States, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Hong, Beijing