Hong Kong: Lawmakers carried out during parliament mayhem

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: BBC

A number of pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong were dragged out of the chamber during a row about a Chinese national anthem bill.

The bill would criminalise disrespect of the anthem.
...
Hong Kong has its own national football team, but not its own anthem - so the Chinese one is played before games.

In recent years, the anthem has been booed more frequently before matches, including before a game with Iran in September.

Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-52702076

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Not what you'd call "social distancing" ...

So it seems this is more than just a symbolic "respect mah authoritah" bill - there are people who do object to the use of the Chinese anthem for Hong Kong, and they would be criminalised under the law. For comparison, when Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland play sport, they do have their own anthems (in some sports, England uses the British "God Save the Queen", in others, they use different music).

[sheepfarm]

1. Breaking down the UK...

"For comparison, when Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland play sport, they do have their own anthems (in some sports, England uses the British "God Save the Queen", in others, they use different music)."

The four constituent parts of the UK don't all officially have their own national anthems...

England - generally use God Save The Queen, but in some sports "Jerusalem" or "Land of Hope and Glory" may be played either instead or in addition to.

Scotland - doesn't have an official anthem but in the present day "Flower Of Scotland" is the one used most often and has largely supplanted "Scotland the brave", playing GSTQ is quite rare and despite popular belief, "500 miles" by The Proclaimers isn't used. :p

Wales - does have an official anthem, "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" or Old Land of my Fathers. Most often it's title in English leaves out the "Old" bit. Most likely to be seen being bellowed out full blast before Rugby internationals, especially those in the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Northern Ireland - a complex issue, given history and how international sporting teams are represented. The football (soccer) team plays only GSTQ prior to international games which brings its own baggage concerning its general supporter base (As a crude example, the NI national soccer team is largely supported by those with a "Protestant" background whereas those with a "Catholic" background living in NI will often support the Republic of Ireland international team instead - however there have been numerous players that are either Cathics or come from Catholic backgrounds that have played for NI to this day, but not completely without incident in the past). However in a lot of international sporting events, there is usually one "Ireland" team that represents the whole island, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The most well known is in Rugby where "Ireland's Call" is used prior to games, which has also been adopted by the All-Ireland Cricket and field hockey teams as well as some others. Otherwise most NI international representatives, including Gold medal winners at Commonwealth Games, use Londonderry Air/Danny Boy instead of GSTQ. i.e. It's complicated, and mileage varies.

So given the story from the OP, a somewhat rough comparison would be Scotland or Wales being "forced" to only have God Save The Queen played as their anthem - that would certainly not be popular even among most Scottish & Welsh unionists.

[Celerity]

3. better version of I'm Gonna Be 500 Miles

by The Toy Dolls (Geordies from Tyneside)

[melm00se]

2. This should be posted

anytime the cry of "The US Congress is dysfunctional".

You don't see fist fights or Representatives/Senators forcibly removed from their respective chambers.