Pro-democracy party Demosisto escorted “Xi the Pooh” through Mong Kok on Sunday to warn Hongkongers about the upcoming national anthem law.
Under a draft framework of the law, anyone who publicly and wilfully alters the lyrics or the score of the Chinese national anthem, performs or sings the national anthem in a distorted or derogatory manner, or insults the national anthem in any other manner will be committing an offence. The maximum penalty is an HK$50,000 fine and up to three years’ imprisonment.
Demosisto activists marched with a protestor in a Winnie the Pooh costume whilst playing the national anthem. The character is often used to mock Chinese President Xi Jinping due to their supposed resemblance to each other.
Other activists were dressed in suits and sunglasses with cardboard rifles. One held a flag with Winnie the Pooh on it.
“Today Emperor Xi is here to tell us about the national anthem law – stop taking photos, stop laughing, show some respect. You will be sent to jail if you laugh,” one of the activists said into a megaphone.
They handed out leaflets entitled “Quotations from Xi.”
It was not the first time the pro-democracy group has conducted creative protests against the controversial law. In April, they gathered at Langham Place in Mong Kok and at an intersection between Sai Yeung Choi Street South and Soy Street, and the group froze for around a minute as the Chinese national anthem was played.
The Hong Kong Journalists’ Association has said that the draft legislation of the national anthem law was unconstitutional and will lead to a chilling effect on free speech.
It also said that Hong Kong’s draft version was even stricter than its mainland counterpart.
