# Protesting With Footwear Tibet Activists Throws Shoe At China Premier In The UK By Peter Tanner | Published 2009-02-03 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shoe-throwing-shoe-thrown-at-china-premier References: [google](http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hWXw1OmkKSVlHhJpYFL7YhSrL-YwD963S5TG0) A shoe was thrown by a protester at China's premier Wen Jiabao Monday during a speech at [Cambridge University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourday-working-week). The shoe missed Jiabao, and the protester was escorted out of the auditorium. Unlike when [a shoe was thrown](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soles4souls-canada) at George Bush last year, the Chinese Premier didn't even have to duck. Jiabao has been followed by protesters during his entire 3 day visit to the U.K., demonstrating over Chinese policy in Tibet. **Implications** - Consumers in contemporary society are constantly looking for [new ways to express themselves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-your-feet). Products that do this are appealing to those who want to make a statement and differentiate themselves from other shoppers. Companies could create more self-expressive items in order to attract more attention to their brand. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.9/10 - Activity: 18% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Self-expressive Footwear:** Footwear products that offer a way for consumers to express themselves and make a statement are becoming increasingly popular. - **Political Protest Products:** Products that offer a way for people to show support for political causes or protest against governments are gaining traction. - **Activism-inspired Fashion:** Fashion brands are tapping into the activism trend, creating clothing and accessories that allow consumers to show their support for social and political causes. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Footwear Industry:** The footwear industry can capitalize on the trend of self-expression by creating shoe designs that allow consumers to make a statement. - **Fashion Industry:** The fashion industry can take advantage of the trend of activism to create clothing and accessories that allow consumers to show their support for social and political causes. - **Marketing Industry:** The marketing industry can help brands create campaigns and product designs that tap into the trend of self-expression and activism to attract more attention to their brand. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Customizable Shoe Decorating Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/style-your-toe.md) - [Lunar New Year-Celebrating Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vibram-fivefingers-year-of-the-horse.md) - [Stylish Footwear Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flex-as-you-go.md) - [Chinese Tradition-Celebrating Accessory Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2025-chinese-new-years.md) - [Stylistic Footwear Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/make-your-way-campaign.md) - [Unique Footwear Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/john-fluevog.md) - [Global Tasmanian Footwear Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/well-worn-campaign.md) - [Lunar New Year Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vibram-fivefingers-kso-evo-year-of-the-snake.md) - [Awareness-Raising Shoe Store Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soles4souls-canada.md)