Five bipartisan members of the United States Congress have asked Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick to reconsider the company’s punishment of Ng Wai ‘Blitzchung’ Chung for speaking out in support of the protests in Hong Kong.

The Blizzard China Controversy Explained 12 IMAGES

United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Reps Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), and Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) have signed a joint letter addressed to Robert Kotick specifically regarding Blizzard’s recent actions towards Chung.“We write to express our deep concern about Activision Blizzard’s decision to make player Ng Way Chung forfeit prize money and ban him from participating in tournaments for a year after he voiced support for pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. The decision is particularly concerning in light of the Chinese government’s growing appetite for pressuring American businesses to help stifle free speech.”The members of Congress cite how Activision Blizzard benefits from China’s esports and gaming market, as well as Tencent’s five percent stake in the American gaming company. The letter also references how China has acted towards other companies like Apple and the NBA for their incidents regarding China and Hong Kong.“Because [Activison Blizzard] is such a pillar of the gaming industry, your disappointing decision could have a chilling effect on gamers who seek to use their platform to promote human rights and basic freedoms,” the letter says. “Indeed, many gamers around the world have taken notice of your company’s actions, understandably calling for boycotts of Activision Blizzard gaming sites.”On October 6, Blizzard announced it would ban Hong Kong-based Hearthstone player Blitzchung for appearing in an official post-match interview and saying, “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our age!” Blizzard claimed Chung had violated one of its rules and for that Chung would be suspended from professional Hearthstone for 12 months and be stripped of his prize money. Blizzard also terminated the contracts for the two casters who were present in the live stream when the incident occurred.A week later, following a massive outcry and a #BoycottBlizzard social media campaign, Blizzard president J. Allen Brack wrote a letter to the Blizzard community explaining its decision. Brack said that after consideration, the company would reinstate Chung’s winnings and lower his ban from a year to six months. The two streamers would also have their contracts reinstated, but banned for six months.However, criticism of Blizzard has not died down . There are currently plans to peacefully protest the upcoming Blizzcon event scheduled to be on November 1. Other protestors, including a team of collegiate Hearthstone players, were banned for six months for supporting Hong Kong during an official match live stream.IGN has reached out to Activision Blizzard for a statement regarding the letter sent out by Congress today, but have not heard back in time for publication of this news story.

Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. If you have any information regarding Blizzard's actions, reach out on Twitter or at newstips@ign.com