‘Red songs’ group accused of disturbing community life

A group of middle- aged local residents singing “red songs” inside Iao Hon Garden has been accused of disturbing life within the community, according to a report by MASTV.

A person living in the neighborhood complained that “they sing for two hours in a row. How do they want people to sleep? If someone shouts in your house for even half an hour, would it be ok?” The same resident also accused the group of playing their music even louder when they were told to lower the volume.

“Indeed, you are free to sing, but do it without disturbing other people,” the resident stated, adding “they have not been singing; they are shouting.”

Another resident complained that “once they become eager, they sing more agitatedly. [They sing a verse that says] ‘long live Chairman Mao’, excitedly. We can’t throw things, otherwise, if I could, I would throw things to their death.”

The leader of the singing group explained that they started singing in the garden last May, and that the singing occurs daily from 9 a.m. and lasts for approximately one and a half hours.

Until now, the group has welcomed approximately 150 members, all of them Macau residents aged above 60 years old.

“Some people complained that we sing  too loud. We then tried to sing louder. Because our Chinese hearts are really enthusiastic, we sing red songs, [we sing] long live Chairman Mao.”

“Xinhua News Agency came to support us, even applauded. If anyone is against us, then they all need to go to Xinhua News Agency and ask for a plague to fall upon themselves,” said the group leader, asking “what crime is there for singing red songs?”

The leader also revealed that she had sung in many public places in mainland China, and that she was never blamed for anything.

Last week, two women were shot by someone using an air soft gun at the Iao Hon Market Garden. The two victims are aged 58 and 66 years old and experienced mild injuries. They were among the red song singers in the garden when the shooting happened. A similar case has been reported earlier. JZ

Wong: singing in gardens not illegal

SECRETARY FOR Security Wong Sio Chak declared that singing in public gardens is not considered illegal assembly. Wong said that singing and dancing activities are a form of exercise and encouraged the public to show greater tolerance and understanding. He said that noise pollution falls under the jurisdiction of the Environment Protection Bureau (DSPA) and that the Public Security Police Force will assist DSPA in such matters.