Nearly 40,000 people have signed a petition demanding the removal of actor Donnie Yen as a presenter during Sunday’s Oscar show.
The organizer of the petition on Change.Org describes its supporters as “We, a group of people from Hong Kong.” They say the actor is a big supporter of “the Chinese Communist Party’s violation of human rights” and accuse him of making remarks in support of the Chinese government’s policies and crackdown on dissenters in Hong Kong.
“We strongly condemn this decision, which not only shows contempt for the people of Hong Kong but also provokes the global public,” the petition reads.
Newsweek reports Yen first sparked controversy with his remarks about the 2019 pro-Democracy protests in Hong Kong. He later reiterated his feelings in an interview with GQ published just last month.
“It wasn’t a protest, OK, it was a riot,” Yen said. “I have many friends who were there. I don’t want to get political. A lot of people might not be happy for what I’m saying, but I’m speaking from my own experience,” Yen is quoted as saying.
Yen will join Keeanu Reeves in John Wicks4 later this month. He is also known for his roles in Rogue One and Mulan.
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