Mainland Chinese clients assumed that the pose alluded to the eye injury sustained by a Hong Kong woman during the rallies, prompting protesters to cover one eye in solidarity, Hong Kong's RTHK broadcaster said.
A spokesman for Tiffany denied that the ad campaign’s photo was meant as a political statement, saying it was made in May, but promised that it would be removed from the retailer’s social media accounts.
Since early June, Hong Kong has been facing a wave of rallies against the now-withdrawn extradition bill — the protests have now evolved into violent demonstrations. Police maintain that they use force only in response to violent actions on the part of the protesters. Beijing, meanwhile, views the situation in Hong Kong as a result of foreign interference in China's domestic affairs and fully supports the actions of the local authorities.