Hong Kong Broadband Network told me on Monday they hadn't blocked HK Chronicles as per a police request. Now they're telling @StandNewsHK the opposite: bit.ly/2XH6CaE We're following up.
Let's have some transparency from ISPs & the police?
Mini-scoop: Spotted a blurred out protest slogan in Yau Ma Tei on Street View last week. 👇 hongkongfp.com/2020/09/07/goo… Viewed from another angle, you can see it takes aim at Xi Jinping.
And just spotted this morning - 'Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times' - was also blurred out. The gov't says the slogan is illegal under the national security law. hongkongfp.com/2020/09/07/goo…
The Street View car toured #HongKong at the peak of the demonstrations last year, capturing 'Lennon Wall' message boards, posters, vandalism and floral tributes to protesters...
1/ We're told to sit tight & 'wait to see' what's in the national security law, but the GovHK letter to schools gives hints on what's to come, with slogans, protests & songs banned:
so this will give rise to self-censorship across all sectors & push opposition underground.
Protest organisers will use euphemisms or march under 'safe' topics to get their demos approved.
It'll worsen over time, but I think the Tiananmen vigil will not be directly banned in 2021 as it's the big litmus test & there will be global scrutiny. But eventually, commemorations will retreat to churches & private spaces. Like the June 4 museum, they will also face pressure.
1/ Paid a deliberate visit to the somewhat neglected SARS memorial in #HongKong Park yesterday. Not so long ago, but it seems no lessons learned. No action plan ever put in place.
The busts are a very sad, moving & unusual tribute, as the dead medics were so young.
2/ Dr Kate Cheng was an HKU grad who worked in Tai Po Hospital. Volunteered to join the SARS team, but was infected & died June 1, 2003 aged 30. hongkongfp.com/2017/06/24/pic…
3/ Heung-may Tang was assisting at the United Christian Hospital. Infected with SARS & died May 15, 2003 at 35.
8 healthcare worked killed in all.
GovHK should be grovelling about heroic medics at the start & end of *every* press con, not attacking them for "illegal" strikes.