In brief
As Halloween approached in Shanghai, police took action against celebratory gatherings, fearing a resurgence of political expressions and nonconformity reminiscent of last year’s celebrations, which had been marked by youthful rebellion.
The past weekend in Shanghai saw a bizarre display of police activity as authorities targeted Halloween revelers dressed in extravagant costumes. Footage emerged showing officers shepherding away a man in a Buddha costume and rushing a cheerful giant poop emoji out of a crowd of dancers. Other moments captured included the removal of a Donald Trump impersonator and a Kim Kardashian look-alike, who, while being escorted into a police van, waved farewell to onlookers.This year, the Shanghai government intensified scrutiny of Halloween festivities, which had previously been embraced as a sign of "cultural tolerance." Last year, large crowds creatively used Halloween as an outlet for social commentary, donning costumes symbolizing their frustrations over three years of stringent lockdowns and poor job prospects. The Shanghai government even celebrated this expression, hailing the event as evidence of the city’s ability to foster public joy.However, recent years have seen an increase in restrictions on personal expression. Authorities have become especially cautious about large gatherings since the anti-lockdown protests of 2022. In a reversal from last year’s celebration, the government seemed intent on preventing any potentially subversive displays this Halloween, signaling a renewed clampdown on even the most innocuous forms of expression.
