Heavy Police Presence Damps Halloween Spirit in Shanghai

Halloween festivities faced significant disruptions in Shanghai as police enforced strict measures against revellers, raising concerns over freedom of expression and public gathering limits. Eyewitness accounts suggest a heavy presence of law enforcement, leading to dispersals and apparent arrests, with unverified governmental warnings circulating prior to the event.

A tense atmosphere enveloped Shanghai this past weekend as law enforcement clamped down on Halloween celebrations, causing many to perceive it as an effort by authorities to suppress large public gatherings and expressions of dissent. Many witnesses reported scenes of police actively dispersing crowds of costumed individuals across the city, with photographs of alleged arrests circulating on social media.

Despite the absence of any formal announcement banning Halloween festivities, rumors of an impending crackdown began to emerge earlier this month. This reaction comes in the wake of last year's viral celebrations where attendees famously donned costumes critical of the Chinese government, including representations of a surveillance camera, Covid testers, and censored social media posts.

This year, however, footage shared online showed revellers in “safe” comic book costumes like Batman and Deadpool being escorted into police vehicles. Some party-goers claimed they were compelled to remove make-up at a police station. While it remains unclear what specific costumes provoked police action, numerous attendees were unaffected.

Eyewitnesses recounted significant police presence on Julu Road, with officers requesting costumed individuals to vacate. The festive atmosphere reportedly took a turn around 10 PM when an influx of police established barriers in Zhongshan Park, compelling those leaving the area to remove any headgear associated with their costumes.

"I saw a man confront the police when he attempted to enter," one resident shared, reflecting on the overwhelming police presence. "It felt like they outnumbered the party-goers." Another attendee remarked, "Shanghai has always been a tolerant city; this isn't what we expect."

Rumors of a crackdown intensified as local business owners reported receiving notices discouraging Halloween events, along with messages purportedly from government chat groups hinting at a ban on large-scale Halloween gatherings. Some universities also discouraged student participation in gatherings, with one student recounting a call from a school counsellor checking on their Halloween activities.

This isn't the first instance of a crackdown on Halloween-themed activities in China. A similar intervention occurred in 2014 when Beijing police warned against Halloween costumes on public transport due to crowd control concerns. This year's heightened scrutiny follows the White Paper Protest movement, where a spontaneous gathering in Shanghai to mourn fire victims evolved into protests against Covid policies—a pivotal moment since the Tiananmen protests.

As Halloween festivities clash with government oversight, the spirit of the holiday in Shanghai appears dimmed, raising questions about the future of public celebrations in a city historically known for its vibrant culture.