Hong Kong police arrest two protesters at Disneyland

Police arrested two activists who displayed banners accusing The Walt Disney Co. of labor abuses in China during a parade at Hong Kong Disneyland, police and media reports said Thursday.

Photo: Hong Kong police arrest two protesters at Disneyland

Hong Kong police arrest two protesters at Disneyland

The two men, identified only by the surnames Yau and Lai, interrupted the parade Wednesday by displaying two banners and scuffled with park workers who tried to stop them, police spokeswoman Celia Tam said.

Hong Kong's Apple Daily newspaper reported Thursday that the banners said "Disney exploits Chinese labor."

Tam said the two protesters were arrested for disorder in a public place, but were not immediately charged. She said they had been released on bail of 200 Hong Kong dollars (US$26; EUR18) each pending further investigation.

Hong Kong Disneyland spokeswoman Glendy Chu said the protesters violated park guidelines on maintaining order. "We always act in the interests of the safety of our guests and performers," Chu said.

Chu said the two protesters were members of the Hong Kong activist group Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior, or SACOM, which has accused Disney suppliers in China of overworking their employees and skimping on pay and benefits.

Disney has said it always tries to use suppliers that adhere to labor standards.

Calls to SACOM on Thursday went unanswered.