Lion Rock Banner Taken Down, Silent Official Praised by Netizens, and Kenny G Denies Supporting Occupy Protests
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Lion Rock Umbrella Banner Taken Down
One day after it was unfurled, the huge banner hung on Lion Rock saying, “I want true universal suffrage” was swiftly removed by firemen. The impressive feat was initiated by local climbing group “Hong Kong Spidey.” Nine male and five female climbers pulled off the stunt to encourage Hongkongers to fight for democracy with the never-give-up “Lion Rock” spirit. A behind-the-scenes video shows the team carrying the 6-meter-wide, 28-meter-tall, 10-kilo banner up the peak in a two-hour operation. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department says it will press charges if it finds sufficient evidence.
Our take: Occupy Hiking Trails! Yeah!
Silent Official Praised by Netizens
Lau Kong-wah, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, impressed netizens with his debating skills during the government-students talks last Tuesday, despite not uttering a single word. Online commentators sarcastically praised him “for not making any rubbish comments” and his “irrefutable” arguments. Some even came up with a concept album for him—titled “Silence.” The album features Cantopop classics like “Shall we Talk?” by Eason Chan and “Silence Is The Most Powerful Cry” by Nicholas Tse. A viral parody cartoon saw Lau portrayed as an orange trash can and the also-silent Edward Yau, Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, as a vase. Carrie Lam, Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen, and Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam are portrayed as cassette tapes.
Our take: Silence is Golden (Forums).
Kenny G Denies Supporting Occupy Protests
Kenny G showed up at Occupy and tweeted that he wished for a peaceful solution to the protests. The appearance led to an outpouring of thanks from netizens. However, G also received a reprimand from the Chinese Communist Party. Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for China’s foreign ministry, acknowledged the popularity of G’s songs in China and, in a statement, urged foreign individuals not to support Occupy Central. Kenny G then tweeted and posted on Facebook that he was only curious and that he never claimed to support the Umbrella Movement. Some joked that China sent G—whose hit “Going Home” has become a tune played in China to indicate closing time—to perform the tune in Hong Kong to send protesters home.
Our take: Kenny G knows which side his bread’s buttered on.