The lead actress in a new Disney movie is at the center of fierce criticism from pro-democracy groups that disagree with her stances on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong accused Mulan star Liu Yifei of “proudly” endorsing the actions of police officers, who were seen assaulting protesters in Hong Kong to protest extradition laws with China throughout the past year.
“This film is released today,” Wong tweeted. “But because Disney kowtows to Beijing, and because Liu Yifei openly and proudly endorses police brutality in Hong Kong, I urge everyone who believes in human rights to #BoycottMulan.”
This film is released today. But because Disney kowtows to Beijing, and because Liu Yifei openly and proudly endorses police brutality in Hong Kong, I urge everyone who believes in human rights to #BoycottMulan. https://t.co/utmP1tIWNa
— Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 ? (@joshuawongcf) September 4, 2020
In August 2019, amid protests in Hong Kong, Liu wrote that she supported Hong Kong police, prompting a backlash from pro-democracy activists who challenged the role of law enforcement to quell what was seen internationally as pro-democracy protests.
Liu also called the protests “a shame” for Hong Kong on the Chinese social media app Weibo.
On Friday, #BoycottMulan was trending on Twitter, and over the past year, protests in Korea and Thailand have been led against the movie, with demonstrators carrying signs that read “Ban Mulan.”
The movie was released to Disney+ subscribers on Friday after months of delaying a theatrical release because of the coronavirus pandemic.
