It has been reported that Dolce & Gabbana has completely banned Hong Kong citizens from taking photographs of the store, even if they are taken from outside of the store. The reason is so that its intellectual property can be protected. However, the brand is very much alright with foreigners and mainland China tourists snapping pictures of the store. This makes absolutely no sense, and some are thinking that there are racist motives behind these rules.

A local paper from Hong Kong, Apple Daily, reported on the situation and soon after, a protest was already organized on Facebook. Approximately just over 1,000 people gathered in front of the Dolce and Gabbana store and it was forced to close due to the disturbing crowd. Wall Street Journal writes:

“According to other reports, including this one from the Hong Kong Standard, a “well-known mainlander, possibly a government official” was shopping in the store and complained to D&G of photos taken from the street, fearing that they would be posted online and link his shopping trip to corruption.”

The mall that houses the store and the brand itself have deeply apologized for unnecessarily offending the Hong Kong residents. Yet, the outrage seems to be coming from a much deeper issue. Chung Kim-wah from Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Centre for Social Policies Studies explains:

“Since the city’s handover to China in 1997, Hong Kong people have faced a lot of setbacks in their fight for democracy and freedom. As there is no universal suffrage and other political rights, they cling very hard on to what is left for them, such as the fundamental right to enjoy public space. Mainland mothers come to give birth, mainland buyers are buying the most luxurious properties in Hong Kong. The mainland is basically the backbone of our economy. Hong Kong people are afraid that their roles will be increasingly taken over by the mainlanders, but they have nowhere to express this fear.”

Dolce and Gabbana sure was unlucky to make that rule, as these Hong Kong-ers have a lot to get off their chests, apparently.