Ai Weiwei Accuses West of Censorship 'Exactly the Same' as Under Mao
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Ai Weiwei says political censorship in the West today is "exactly the same" as under Mao Zedong in China. He criticizes the "timid" society that avoids questioning.
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He references the cancellation of his own exhibition in London after his social media posts on Israel-Gaza. Growing up under heavy censorship in China, he says the West now does "exactly the same."
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He criticizes the suspension of two NYU professors for Gaza comments. Says it's like the Cultural Revolution, trying to destroy those with different attitudes.
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Weiwei's art often addresses political issues in China. He has a history of openly criticizing the Beijing government on human rights.
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Weiwei was arrested in 2011 in China and held for 81 days. He left the country in 2015 and says he "never regrets" speaking out to defend values that would benefit everybody.