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July 10, 2020

Umbrellas Down

As China's new national security law tightens its control over Hong Kong, we return to our episode about last fall's anti-government protests and check in to see how people are responding.

Prologue

Prologue

Host Ira Glass explains how things have changed in Hong Kong this month, and wonders how things are going for a protester we’re calling Jennifer, who he went to protests with back in the fall. We start with what her life was like in September. (9 minutes)

Act Two

The Fight

Jennifer, Ira, and producer Emanuele Berry go to a protest and get tear gassed in front of a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. (6 minutes)

Act Three

Good Cop, Dad Cop 

A protestor who thinks the Hong Kong police are terrible has a chat with his dad — a police officer. Alan Yu reports. (12 minutes)

Act Five

Nine Months Later

Host Ira Glass calls Jennifer to talk about the new security law. (12 minutes)

Song:

“Ruthless Night, Cold Wind” by Room307