HONG KONG (AP)–Police arrested two activists who displayed banners accusing Hong Kong Disneyland of labor abuses in China during a parade at the theme park, police and media said Thursday.
The two men, only identified by surnames Yau and Lai, interrupted the parade Wednesday by displaying two banners and scuffled with park workers who tried to stop them, police spokeswoman Celia Tam said.
Hong Kong’s Apple Daily newspaper reported Thursday the banners said “Disney exploits Chinese labor.”
Tam said the two protesters were arrested for disorder in a public place, but were not immediately charged. She said it wasn’t immediately clear if they were still being detained.
Hong Kong Disneyland spokeswoman Glendy Chu said the protesters violated park guidelines on maintaining order. “We always act in the interests of the safety of our guests and performers,” Chu said.
Chu identified the two protesters as belonging to the Hong Kong activist group Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior, or SACOM, which has accused Disney suppliers in China of overworking their employees and skimping on pay and benefits.
Disney has said it always tries to use suppliers that adhere to labor standards.
Calls to SACOM Thursday went unanswered.
Source: Walt Disney World