Petition updateEsther Hwang, the Vancouver Symphony, and NDAsThe protest is off. The reckoning continues.
Katherine NeedlemanUnited States
9 Jan 2026

The January 17 protest is no longer moving forward. This follows recent public statements by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra confirming that it does not intend to pursue legal action against Esther Hwang and that it will no longer require non-disclosure agreements in cases of sexual harm unless requested by a complainant. These outcomes were achieved through sustained public attention and advocacy, including the collective action of petition signatories.

While the petition’s central objective has been met, serious concerns remain unresolved. The Vancouver Symphony has not provided a transparent, independent explanation regarding the end of Esther Hwang’s work with the orchestra, nor has it addressed broader issues related to retaliation, hiring transparency, and institutional accountability. Supporters are asked not to attend the canceled protest, but to remain engaged, continue sharing the petition, and maintain public scrutiny to ensure that these commitments translate into meaningful, lasting change.

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