Protest Song 'Glory to Hong Kong' Reappears on Streaming Platforms Despite Court Ban

The protest song 'Glory to Hong Kong,' which became an anthem during the 2019 pro-democracy demonstrations, has resurfaced on Apple Music and Spotify despite a court order banning its distribution. This reappearance comes after the song was removed from all platforms by its original distributor, EmuBands, in compliance with a Hong Kong court ruling.

Why this matters: The reappearance of the protest song 'Glory to Hong Kong' on streaming platforms highlights the ongoing struggle for free speech and artistic expression in Hong Kong. This incident has broader implications for the region's political climate and the limits of government control over creative expression.

DGX Music, the team behind the song, has re-released it under a different distributor, 7196175 Records DK. The new uploads include an a cappella version and a four-track EP titled 'Glory to Hong Kong Permanent Edition,' featuring orchestral, instrumental, and English renditions. These versions were uploaded to Apple Music and Spotify on May 25 and 26, 2024.

The Hong Kong appeals court had ruled that the song's lyrics, which include the slogan 'Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,' were seditious and could incite unrest. This decision overturned a lower court's ruling that had cited free speech concerns. Therefore, the court ordered the removal of the song from all platforms, stating that it could be used to promote anti-government sentiment.

EmuBands, the original distributor, complied with the court order, removing the song globally. Ally Gray, managing director of EmuBands, confirmed, 'It was our decision to remove the song and yes, this is because of the court order.'

However, DGX Music has taken a defiant stance against the ruling. In a statement on Facebook, they declared, 'Unjustified repression will not silence the people, and should we lose our instruments and our accompaniment, should we lose a publisher, our pursuit of freedom and democracy will never end.'

The court's injunction, issued on May 8, 2024, prohibits the broadcasting, performing, printing, publishing, selling, or distributing of the song with the intention to incite others to separate Hong Kong from China, commit a seditious act, or insult the national anthem. YouTube has also complied with the order, blocking access to 32 clips of the song for viewers in Hong Kong.

Despite these measures, the song has frequently been mistaken overseas for the national anthem of China, highlighting its prominence and the international attention it has received. DGX Music continues to seek ways to reinstate the original version of the song through various channels.

Essentially, the reappearance of 'Glory to Hong Kong' on streaming platforms highlights the ongoing struggle between pro-democracy activists and the Hong Kong government. As DGX Music continues to push for the song's availability, the broader implications for free speech and artistic expression in Hong Kong remain a contentious issue.

Key Takeaways

• 'Glory to Hong Kong' protest song reappears on Apple Music and Spotify despite court ban.
• Song was removed by original distributor EmuBands due to Hong Kong court ruling.
• New distributor 7196175 Records DK re-releases song in different versions.
• Court ruled song's lyrics, including 'Liberate Hong Kong', were seditious and incited unrest.
• Reappearance highlights ongoing struggle for free speech and artistic expression in Hong Kong.