Jon Schweppe is the director of policy and government affairs at the American Principles Project, and he and a couple of others headed to a game between the Washington Wizards and the Guangzhou Loong Lions wearing their Free Hong Kong T-shirts.
They didn’t even make it through the national anthem before their “Free Hong Kong” sign was confiscated:
Just had our “Free Hong Kong” sign confiscated at Capitol One Arena at the Wizards game against the Guangzhou Long Lions. #FreeHongKong #NBA #Censorship pic.twitter.com/on1O4QdBUi
— Jon Schweppe (@JonSchweppe) October 9, 2019
We are currently standing tall behind the basket with our Free Hong Kong shirts on. We were told if we do another sign we will be removed. Standing tall in our tshirts
— Jon Schweppe (@JonSchweppe) October 9, 2019
They also brought a “Google Uyghurs” sign, which lasted slightly longer. Maybe one of the security guys Googled “Uyghurs.”
So far we are allowed our “Google Uyghurs” sign. They seemed annoyed with it. pic.twitter.com/cMMu4ns8Nd
— Jon Schweppe (@JonSchweppe) October 9, 2019
Our “Google Uyghurs” sign has been confiscated. pic.twitter.com/fX4tF4oOxR
— Jon Schweppe (@JonSchweppe) October 9, 2019
and The Star-Spangled Banner in the background?? no way.
— Pat Dixon (@patdixon) October 9, 2019
During the National Anthem? Oh this is gonna get interesting @NBA
— J Hersh (@JHersh07) October 9, 2019
While our national anthem is playing in the background. How poetic. https://t.co/zh4iWOidnR
— Jessica Fletcher (@heckyessica) October 9, 2019
Friend points out that they confiscated the sign during the national anthem.
Again, the NBA isn't just silent about Chinese attempts to censor Americans, they are assisting those efforts: https://t.co/Nh8zvDkapo https://t.co/hcdZBb5QD5
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) October 9, 2019
Recommended
For the land-and of the freeeeee
— Sandy Parker (@RHWOOBsandy) October 9, 2019
"Home of the Brave" indeed.
— Danny DeMent (@DannyDsWorld) October 9, 2019
and The Star-Spangled Banner in the background?? no way.
— Pat Dixon (@patdixon) October 9, 2019
The Star Spangled Banner being belted out in the background just really drives this nonsense home.
— jlow (@jlow18) October 9, 2019
and the National Anthem playing in the background, you can't make this crap up pic.twitter.com/d8ACSirvl9
— Patrick (@patricksp71) October 9, 2019
The wokest thing I've ever seen. Stifling freedom of speech about true social Injustice with the anthem in the background. Unreal.
— Kano911 (@Kano9112) October 9, 2019
Someone needs to turn the volume down on that song cause this ain't America
— Eddy Brock (@EddyBrock_YT) October 9, 2019
If you want to know who rules you, it’s the ones you can’t criticize.
— J.Alias (@alias_j) October 9, 2019
The @NBA is siding with a cruel, Communist dictorship against the principles of its own American society and citizens. And, more importantly, siding against the citizens of Hong Kong who are in the streets risking their lives for those values. Shame on the #NBA !!!
— John Andre (@The_John_Andre) October 9, 2019
At least they let you keep your clothes on. ?
— Lisa Hudson (@LHudson) October 9, 2019
Disgusting.
— Brian Cogan (@TheBrianCogan) October 9, 2019
Lame….????
— SithRooster925 (@SRooster925) October 9, 2019
"We don't have a stance on it"….. what the?
— The Elitist (@Markmcafee19) October 9, 2019
So #NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he supports freedom of speech and expression, but now a second night in a row in an American city where pro Hong Kong sentiment has been censored
So which is it, @NBA @TedLeonsis @WashWizards? https://t.co/7VIctam7C9
— Cameron Gray (@Cameron_Gray) October 9, 2019
The NBA really is going full commie. Never go full commie. https://t.co/Un259nYUeO
— James Morrow (@pwafork) October 9, 2019
When someone says "We respect your freedom of speech" and then proceeds to censor you for expressing a non-violent message, they don't respect your freedom of speech. https://t.co/8XshVzzTHG
— Bennie Ashton (@Okie_Politics) October 9, 2019
Looks like Congress is going to get involved in this fight:
Bipartisan group of lawmakers to send letter to NBA commissioner on China, from Reps. Tom Malinowksi, Mike Gallagher, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jim Banks, and Sens. Ben Sasse, Ron Wyden, Tom Cotton, and Ted Cruz
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 9, 2019
“It is outrageous that the Chinese Communist Party is using its economic power to suppress the speech of Americans inside the United States,” they'll say, per a draft obtained by CNN. “It is also outrageous that the NBA has caved to Chinese government demands for contrition.”
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 9, 2019
They write the NBA “should have anticipated the challenges of doing business in a country run by a repressive single party government—including by being prepared to stand in strong defense of the freedom of expression of its employees, players, and affiliates across the globe.”
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 9, 2019
"You have more power to take a stand than most of the Chinese government’s targets… It’s not unreasonable to expect American companies to put our fundamental democratic rights ahead of profit — the very rights that have fostered their success and our nation’s wealth."
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 9, 2019
They also make these four requests: pic.twitter.com/irOJXK1ycT
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 9, 2019
Full letter now available here: https://t.co/l76eLIbjBJ
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 9, 2019
Related:
'Gotta hear both sides'! Warriors' Steph Curry can't address the NBA/China controversy because he doesn't 'know enough about Chinese history' https://t.co/JkOSLMDaM2
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 9, 2019
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