The apology Blizzard issued today, regarding the Hearthstone pro banned for supporting the Hong Kong protests, has not silenced protestors at BlizzCon 2019.
A collection of groups gathered in the street leading to the Anaheim Convention Center, where the event is being held. The groups included people dressed as Winnie the Pooh, a character banned by China. They banded together holding placards, chanting (I heard “Blitzchung did nothing wrong – free Hong Kong”) and handing out signs, t-shirts and stickers to passers by.
I talked to them immediately following the opening ceremony to see if Blizzard president J. Allen Brack’s apology had had any effect.
Blizzard apologised for the Blitzchung situation but it hasn’t calmed protests at #BlizzCon19 pic.twitter.com/86lGBIrOG9
— Bertie (@Clert) November 1, 2019
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“It’s always a good start to know people are paying attention to us, that the pressure is working, but we need more from them,” said Dayton Young, organiser of the event. He works for Fight for the Future and Gamers for Freedom.