This year's Halloween festivities in Shanghai were overshadowed by a heavy police presence, with officials targeting revellers in a possible crackdown on public gatherings and expressions of discontent.
Halloween Crackdown in Shanghai: Police Patrols Halt Celebrations
Halloween Crackdown in Shanghai: Police Patrols Halt Celebrations
Authorities impose barriers and disperse costumed party-goers, raising concerns over public expression.
Despite there being no official prohibition on Halloween, the streets of Shanghai were filled with police officers and patrols over the weekend, leading to the stifling of celebrations that have become a source of public expression in past years. Witnesses reported seeing police actively dispersing crowds dressed in costumes and removing individuals from public spaces like Zhongshan Park. Social media images of alleged arrests and confrontations further fueled concerns about government restrictions.
This season's event was particularly notable given last year’s viral Halloween dresses, which included outfits mocking the government, such as costume representations of surveillance cameras and Covid testers. The atmosphere this year starkly contrasted, with many attendees opting for benign costumes from comic books. However, policemen still escorted those donned in attire deemed inconspicuous to police vehicles.
A resident described a festive environment being hijacked as police began cordoning off areas, investigative efforts led to them taking down details of those dressed for the celebration, seemingly outnumbering the party-goers. Rumors of a crackdown had already circulated, with businesses receiving government advisories against hosting Halloween gatherings, and some universities warning students to refrain from participating in any large assemblies.
The Shanghai police have not officially commented on these occurrences, but actions speak louder than words, as past tendencies reflect a government distrust of large public displays, especially following recent protests against Covid policies. The ongoing scrutiny from authorities suggests that expressions of freedom may continue to face significant challenges, with Halloween acting as a contemporary illustration of these tensions.
This season's event was particularly notable given last year’s viral Halloween dresses, which included outfits mocking the government, such as costume representations of surveillance cameras and Covid testers. The atmosphere this year starkly contrasted, with many attendees opting for benign costumes from comic books. However, policemen still escorted those donned in attire deemed inconspicuous to police vehicles.
A resident described a festive environment being hijacked as police began cordoning off areas, investigative efforts led to them taking down details of those dressed for the celebration, seemingly outnumbering the party-goers. Rumors of a crackdown had already circulated, with businesses receiving government advisories against hosting Halloween gatherings, and some universities warning students to refrain from participating in any large assemblies.
The Shanghai police have not officially commented on these occurrences, but actions speak louder than words, as past tendencies reflect a government distrust of large public displays, especially following recent protests against Covid policies. The ongoing scrutiny from authorities suggests that expressions of freedom may continue to face significant challenges, with Halloween acting as a contemporary illustration of these tensions.
