In a stark contrast to previous Halloween events, festivities in Shanghai were dampened this year by a significant police presence. Authorities deployed barriers and increased patrols across the city as part of a wider effort to stifle large public gatherings and maintain control over expressions of dissent. Eyewitness accounts and social media reports indicated that police intervened to disperse crowds of costumed revelers, sparking fears about the erosion of freedoms in the wake of strict governmental oversight.
While no formal directives outlawing Halloween celebrations were issued, rumors of an impending crackdown circulated online earlier this month. This move follows last year’s viral costumes that poked fun at the government, where revelers donned outfits such as a surveillance camera and COVID testers. Contrastingly, this year's attendees wore primarily neutral costumes, yet still faced police scrutiny. Footage from the weekend revealed individuals dressed as popular comic book characters being escorted into police vans, with reports of others being compelled to remove makeup at police stations.
Witnesses noted a conspicuous police presence, with one individual sharing that every new arrival in costume invited admiration from the crowd, only to be met later by barriers and police requests to remove headgear as the night progressed. Some described the scene as disheartening, with one local commenting, “The number of police taking down details seemed to surpass the number of participants.”
The heightened police activity is not entirely unexpected given the recent climate surrounding public expressions in China. In the lead-up to Halloween, business owners received notices discouraging Halloween-themed gatherings, and universities warned students against participation in large events. One student from Fudan University disclosed a school counselor’s inquiries regarding their involvement in such gatherings, emphasizing the cautious atmosphere prevailing on campuses.
Previous instances of Halloween crackdowns are not new; in 2014, Beijing authorities warned potential revellers that costumes could lead to arrests on public transport. This year, however, is significantly influenced by past protests, particularly the White Paper Protest movement concerning COVID policies. This uprising marked one of the largest challenges to the Chinese government in decades, following a gathering that commemorated fire victims but escalated into wider demonstrations.
As the Halloween season unfolded in Shanghai, the echoes of government apprehension were palpable, leaving many to wonder what this could mean for future expressions of public festivity in the city.
