Kenny G Stirs Controversy With Visit to Hong Kong Protest

[n2doc]

BEIJING — It seemed innocuous enough on the surface: The smooth-jazz musician Kenny G paid a surprise visit to a Hong Kong protest site on Wednesday, posing for photos with residents who are demanding the right to free elections.

He tweeted the news that he was at the demonstration, along with a smiling photo showing a protest banner in the background, and wrote, “I wish everyone a peaceful and positive conclusion to this situation.”

But little is that simple here.

Kenny G is an icon in China, and his visit stirred up controversy and conspiracy theories on both sides of the political divide.

In one of the more inexplicable mysteries of Chinese culture, his 1989 saxophone ballad “Going Home” has for decades oozed from speakers across Chinese public spaces at closing time, triggering rapid exits by the masses. The song has no lyrics, yet somehow, when it is played in a mall, Chinese shoppers know what to do. They go home.

Kenny G ✔ @officialkennyg
in Hong Kong at the sight of the demonstration. I wish everyone a peaceful and positive conclusion to this situation

more

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/23/world/asia/kenny-g-stirs-controversy-with-visit-to-hong-kong-protest.html?_r=1

[hatrack]

1. Looks like the HK government found a way to drive the protestors away!

He could just walk up and down the streets playing "Songbird".

[underpants]

2. How is this a "controversy"?

Supporting Democracy is controversial ? Come on New York Times

[Nye Bevan]

3. Some mellow sax music could be just what is needed to calm tensions there (nt)

[3rdwaydem]

4. Good for Kenny G!

I'm happy to hear he is there to stand up for democracy and freedom against a Chinese regime which is really facist in nature and which tolerates millions of it's workers living in slave like conditions in factory sweat shops.