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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.

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Transcript

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)

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Act One

Cursed Generation

A bunch of 22-year-olds from Hong Kong explain why they are cursed and what that means for their and Hong Kong’s future. (17 minutes)

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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)

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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)

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Act Four

A Slow Boat to China

Producer Diane Wu goes to a party. A Chinese flag party. (7 minutes)

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Act Five

Nine Months Later

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

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Song:

“Ruthless Night, Cold Wind” by Room307