Jessie Yeung , CNN Hong Kong Written bySkateboarding brand Vans is facing a boycott in Hong Kong after it removed a shoe alluding to the city's anti-government protests from a sneaker design competition. The statement drew condemnation on social media from Hong Kong protest supporters, where a number of posts were accompanied by the hashtag #boycottVans. Hong Kong and Beijing have long had a fraught relationship. "This is a big move against the freedom of speech of all Hong Kong freedom fighters," wrote one Twitter user, referring to the Vans controversy. Sneaker chain Dahood, which operates several Vans franchise stores in Hong Kong, announced Sunday that it was suspending operations at three locations because of "the controversy caused by the Custom Culture design contest."

Source: CNN October 07, 2019 09:10 UTC