Protests have been happening in Hong Kong since June

Naomi So had an idea.

She wanted to make an artistic statement about the democracy movement in Hong Kong.

So the Toronto teen decided to create a Hong Kong-themed sneaker for the Custom Culture design contest held by Vans — an American skateboard and shoe company.

Her design was getting likes, until it was suddenly dropped from the contest.

Toronto teen Naomi So, whose family asked that CBC News keep her face hidden, shows her Hong Kong-themed design for the Vans Custom Culture design contest. (Talia Ricci/CBC)

“It was totally unfair,” Naomi said. “Vans didn’t contact me to understand the meaning behind my shoe.”

Because her family has roots in the former British colony, the 17-year-old Chinese-Canadian has been there several times.

“My mom and dad have been keeping up with the Hong Kong news, and from that I became interested and researched more on what was happening,” Naomi said in a recent interview with CBC News.

A sign saying 'Five demands' is held by students demonstrating inside a shopping mall after a human chain event in Sha Tin district in Hong Kong on Sept.19. (Philip Fong/AFP)

Pro-democracy demonstrators, some the same age as Naomi, have been protesting in the streets for months.

Some of the rallies have even resulted in violent clashes where one Hong Kong teen was shot by police but survived.

It all started with an opposition to a bill that would allow people accused of crimes to be sent to mainland China for trial.

The hand of a volunteer medic gestures towards protesters as tear gas is fired by police in Hong Kong on Aug.4. (Anthony Wallace//AFP/Getty Images)

Inspired by the movement, Naomi decided to use ink, designing a mostly black-and-yellow shoe, incorporating the colours worn by the protesters.

She also drew an umbrella along with faceless protesters wearing helmets and rain jackets, plus a red Bauhinia flower — Hong Kong’s emblem.

Art has always been a big part of Naomi's life, so she was excited about the idea of getting to collaborate with her favourite shoe company.

Naomi’s Hong Kong-themed shoe was pulled from an online Vans contest. (Vans)

And it looked like she might even win the $25 000 prize.

When voting began earlier this month, her sneakers generated more than 200,000 votes in just a few days, putting her in first place.

But then to her total surprise, it suddenly disappeared from the online contest.

Naomi says her design, which made first place within days of entering the Vans contest, went through a first round of approval before it could be voted on. (Vans)

Naomi felt this was disrespectful to her freedom of expression as an artist.

When she sent an email asking why it was removed, Vans responded with a statement saying its decision was based on competition guidelines.

“As a brand that is open to everyone, we have never taken a political position and therefore review designs to ensure they are in line with our company’s long-held values of respect and tolerance,” the statement said.

So why is Naomi’s design so controversial?

Naomi speaks with CBC Toronto reporter Talia Ricci in a park. (Turgut Yeter/CBC)

The breakdown

Hong Kong, which was originally part of China, became a British colony in 1947 and remained under British rule until 1997.

This was because China temporarily lost Hong Kong to Britain in the Opium Wars, two wars that were fought between the two countries during the 1800’s

Under British rule, Hong Kong people lived in an open democracy.

When it was returned in 1997, China, a communist country, agreed to allow Hong Kong a high degree of independence for the next 50 years.

That’s how Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (SAR), meaning it has its own legal system.

What does Free Hong Kong mean?

The crisis in Hong Kong has continued into its fifth month.

Protesters are calling for the protection of their democratic rights.

Although the government has since reversed its decision on the bill that started it all, protesters are still on the streets demanding wider democratic freedom.

Protesters with umbrellas and protective gear face off against police at Kowloon Bay in Hong Kong on Aug. 24.(Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images)

It’s an “impactful event in history,” said Naomi.

One that moved her to use art to make a difference.

“Some feelings are not easily expressed through words,” she said.

“I think it's important for people to express whatever they want through art because developing something beautiful for others to relate to is very important.”

With files from Talia Ricci/CBC News