Jon Schweppe is the director of policy and government affairs at the American Principles Project, and he and a couple of others headed to a game between the Washington Wizards and the Guangzhou Loong Lions wearing their Free Hong Kong T-shirts.

They didn’t even make it through the national anthem before their “Free Hong Kong” sign was confiscated:

Just had our “Free Hong Kong” sign confiscated at Capitol One Arena at the Wizards game against the Guangzhou Long Lions. #FreeHongKong #NBA #Censorship pic.twitter.com/on1O4QdBUi — Jon Schweppe (@JonSchweppe) October 9, 2019

We are currently standing tall behind the basket with our Free Hong Kong shirts on. We were told if we do another sign we will be removed. Standing tall in our tshirts — Jon Schweppe (@JonSchweppe) October 9, 2019

They also brought a “Google Uyghurs” sign, which lasted slightly longer. Maybe one of the security guys Googled “Uyghurs.”

So far we are allowed our “Google Uyghurs” sign. They seemed annoyed with it. pic.twitter.com/cMMu4ns8Nd — Jon Schweppe (@JonSchweppe) October 9, 2019

Our “Google Uyghurs” sign has been confiscated. pic.twitter.com/fX4tF4oOxR — Jon Schweppe (@JonSchweppe) October 9, 2019

and The Star-Spangled Banner in the background?? no way. — Pat Dixon (@patdixon) October 9, 2019

During the National Anthem? Oh this is gonna get interesting @NBA — J Hersh (@JHersh07) October 9, 2019

While our national anthem is playing in the background. How poetic. https://t.co/zh4iWOidnR — Jessica Fletcher (@heckyessica) October 9, 2019

Friend points out that they confiscated the sign during the national anthem. Again, the NBA isn't just silent about Chinese attempts to censor Americans, they are assisting those efforts: https://t.co/Nh8zvDkapo https://t.co/hcdZBb5QD5 — (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) October 9, 2019

For the land-and of the freeeeee — Sandy Parker (@RHWOOBsandy) October 9, 2019

"Home of the Brave" indeed. — Danny DeMent (@DannyDsWorld) October 9, 2019

and The Star-Spangled Banner in the background?? no way. — Pat Dixon (@patdixon) October 9, 2019

The Star Spangled Banner being belted out in the background just really drives this nonsense home. — jlow (@jlow18) October 9, 2019

and the National Anthem playing in the background, you can't make this crap up pic.twitter.com/d8ACSirvl9 — Patrick (@patricksp71) October 9, 2019

The wokest thing I've ever seen. Stifling freedom of speech about true social Injustice with the anthem in the background. Unreal. — Kano911 (@Kano9112) October 9, 2019

Someone needs to turn the volume down on that song cause this ain't America — Eddy Brock (@EddyBrock_YT) October 9, 2019

If you want to know who rules you, it’s the ones you can’t criticize. — J.Alias (@alias_j) October 9, 2019

The @NBA is siding with a cruel, Communist dictorship against the principles of its own American society and citizens. And, more importantly, siding against the citizens of Hong Kong who are in the streets risking their lives for those values. Shame on the #NBA !!! — John Andre (@The_John_Andre) October 9, 2019

At least they let you keep your clothes on. ? — Lisa Hudson (@LHudson) October 9, 2019

Disgusting. — Brian Cogan (@TheBrianCogan) October 9, 2019

"We don't have a stance on it"….. what the? — The Elitist (@Markmcafee19) October 9, 2019

So #NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he supports freedom of speech and expression, but now a second night in a row in an American city where pro Hong Kong sentiment has been censored So which is it, @NBA @TedLeonsis @WashWizards? https://t.co/7VIctam7C9 — Cameron Gray (@Cameron_Gray) October 9, 2019

The NBA really is going full commie. Never go full commie. https://t.co/Un259nYUeO — James Morrow (@pwafork) October 9, 2019

When someone says "We respect your freedom of speech" and then proceeds to censor you for expressing a non-violent message, they don't respect your freedom of speech. https://t.co/8XshVzzTHG — Bennie Ashton (@Okie_Politics) October 9, 2019

Looks like Congress is going to get involved in this fight:

Bipartisan group of lawmakers to send letter to NBA commissioner on China, from Reps. Tom Malinowksi, Mike Gallagher, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jim Banks, and Sens. Ben Sasse, Ron Wyden, Tom Cotton, and Ted Cruz — Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 9, 2019

“It is outrageous that the Chinese Communist Party is using its economic power to suppress the speech of Americans inside the United States,” they'll say, per a draft obtained by CNN. “It is also outrageous that the NBA has caved to Chinese government demands for contrition.” — Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 9, 2019

They write the NBA “should have anticipated the challenges of doing business in a country run by a repressive single party government—including by being prepared to stand in strong defense of the freedom of expression of its employees, players, and affiliates across the globe.” — Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 9, 2019

"You have more power to take a stand than most of the Chinese government’s targets… It’s not unreasonable to expect American companies to put our fundamental democratic rights ahead of profit — the very rights that have fostered their success and our nation’s wealth." — Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 9, 2019

They also make these four requests: pic.twitter.com/irOJXK1ycT — Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 9, 2019

Full letter now available here: https://t.co/l76eLIbjBJ — Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 9, 2019

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