The petition was started by the people of Hong Kong, who were demanding the removal of Donnie Yen as a presenter for the Oscars.
Hong Kong residents objected to Yen’s invitation to the Oscars after he openly showed support for the Chinese Communist Party’s violation of human rights.
They stated in their petition that as a globally recognized film award, the Oscars should represent respect for human rights and moral values rather than support for actions that violate them.
Actor Donnie Yen is a proud supporter of the Chinese Communist regime. He has not shied away from showing support for his birth country, no matter how complicated their policies have turned out to be.
Yen lent his support to the Chinese Communist party after it accused Hong Kong protestors of being rioters. He also endorsed the Chinese government’s decision to impose National Security Law in Hong Kong.
These remarks from such a well-known actor degrade the spirit of freedom of speech and taint Hong Kong’s fight for freedom and democracy.
The Oscars committee’s decision to bring a person with such controversial political views to their platform is an open violation of moral values, freedom of speech, and human rights.
Speaking to Variety in a new interview, Yen said while referring to the petition: “I’m allowed to love my own culture. I love my own country. Why cannot I be patriotic? This whole online cyberbullying/cancel culture has got to stop. You can’t own somebody’s thoughts. And you want to silence them? It’s totally hypocrites.”
Yen’s remarks were hurtful to the people of Hong Kong because he had spent a significant part of his life in Hong Kong after moving there when he was just two years old.
Despite efforts to remove Yen from his role at this year’s Oscars, the actor stood onstage on March 12 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood to present the best original song award.
Although the Oscars have passed, the change.org petition is still active and receiving signatures here and there.
Exploring the career of Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a globally recognized actor, martial artist, and action director. He has earned recognition due to his incorporation of mixed martial arts (MMA) into mainstream Asian cinema.
Yen is one of the most famous film stars in Asia, which makes him one of the highest-paid actors in the region as well.
Yen stars opposite Keanu Reeves in John Wick: Chapter 4, where he plays blind assassin Caine. He’s also known for roles in Star Wars spin-off Rogue One, XXX: Return Of Xander Cage, and the 2020 live-action remake of Mulan.
The actor is also given credit for contributing to the popularisation of Wing Chun, a form of southern Chinese kung fu, in China through his role in the Ip Man film series.
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