Hong Kong court bans song heard during huge pro-democracy protests

“Glory to Hong Kong” is the first song banned in the territory since the return of the former British colony to China in 1997.

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Members of the Hong Kong League of Social Democrats carry a pro-democracy poster in front of government buildings on February 27, 2024. (PETER PARKS / AFP)

The repression of the pro-democracy movement continues. The Hong Kong Court of Appeal banned the singing on Wednesday May 8 Glory to Hong Kong (Glory to Hong Kong) popularized during the pro-democracy protests of 2019. After the local government’s request to prevent the broadcast or performance of this song, “we are satisfied that an injunction should be granted”wrote Judge Jeremy Poon in the legal decision.

Glory to Hong Kong is thus the first song banned in the territory since the handover of the former British colony to China in 1997. Beijing described this measure as “necessary”.

Becoming an anthem of the city’s pro-democracy movement, it was written and popularized during the 2019 protests that saw millions take to the streets to demand political freedoms. The executive of the financial center of southern China filed a request in June for an injunction to ban this song. But at the end of July, the courts rejected it, considering that its ban would raise serious questions of freedom of expression. The executive appealed.


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