The well-known fashion brand Dolce and Gabbana has issued a fairly lame statement on January 18th expressing its regret for offending the people of Hong Kong. But, funnily enough, many protesters are refusing to accept this apology.
Two weeks ago, Hong Kong locals were forbidden to take pictures in front of the Dolce and Gabbana boutique store on Canton Road. Authorized by the company, a security guard explained to the locals that only mainland tourists and foreigners were exclusively allowed to take pictures in front of the store.
The company refused to respond to inquiries from The South China Morning Post, Hong Kong’s premier English language newspaper. But outraged protesters began to organize on Facebook, and on January 8th more than a thousand angry protesters gathered on Canton Road taking pictures of the store. The store had to close during the hours of protest.
Despite the company’s issued apology (“We understand that the events which unfolded in front of the Dolce & Gabbana boutique on Canton Road have offended the citizens of Hong Kong. For this we are truly sorry and we apologize”), many Facebook users have rejected the statement and are making further plans for future protests.
According to Dr. Ma Ngok, political scientist at Chinese University, the protestors’ anger was caused by the perception that more and more the Hong Kong business establishment caters to wealthy mainlanders discriminating against Hongkongers. And people are increasingly sick of it.
For more information, please visit:
The South China Morning Post