Fans say ‘Free Hong Kong’ signs confiscated at NBA game

NBA fans holding posters that read “Free Hong Kong” and “Google ‘Uyghurs’ ” say they were confiscated before the Washington Wizard’s Wednesday night preseason game against the Guangzhou Loong Lions.

CNN reports that there were two separate incidents with the same group of fans. Both incidents were posted about on Twitter.

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

Our “Google Uyghurs” sign has been confiscated. pic.twitter.com/fX4tF4oOxR

— Jon Schweppe (@JonSchweppe) October 9, 2019

Wednesday night was at least the second incident involving NBA fans and pro-Hong Kong signs this week. Two Philadelphia 76ers fans were thrown out of the game Tuesday for having pro-Hong Kong posters and chanting.

{mosads}According to the policies of Capitol One Arena, where the Wizards place, posters “may not be commercial or political in nature.”

Wizards spokesman Scott Hall said in a statement that that while no fans were ejected, “the building security staff removed signs tonight in accordance with Capital One Arena’s long-standing Signs, Banners, Posters, and Flag Policy.” 

The episode is the latest in an ongoing controversy over the NBA’s handling of support for pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. On Thursday, the NBA blocked a pair of Houston Rockets players from answering questions about the China controversy, which began when the league apologized for a pro-Hong Kong tweet from the Rockets general manager.

Updated at 3:44 p.m.