HONG KONG, (Reuters) – A Hong Kong clothing store popular among democracy advocates said Thursday that it would close its shops by 2022. The chain cited landlords’ reluctances to renew leases as well as complaints which led to investigation by different government departments.

Chickeeduck started out as a clothing chain for children. It became well-known for its pro-democracy merchandise, which included shirts with humorous quotes of pro-democracy slogans.

After Herbert Chow, his landlord refused to take down a statue depicting a protester wearing helmet and gas masks and goggles, the shop gained popularity with democracy activists. It was moved to another location, where it is still standing.

The Chickeeduck shop was searched by national security personnel who issued a warrant to search the place. They said that they were responding to public complaints. One of the shops was ordered by authorities to take down a bronze statue that Liu Xiaobo won the Nobel Peace Prize. It had been blocking the street.

Chow released a statement saying that Chikeeduck had been affected by evil forces for the last 18 months.

“We will never stop speaking out against injustice. We won’t back off. We are now pondering wiser, more sustainable business strategies. However, we doubt the viability of moving forward with the business.

Requests for comment were not received by the Security Bureau in Hong Kong or by the police of Hong Kong immediately.

Chow didn’t elaborate on his company’s future strategy following its 32-year-old “exit” from Hong Kong, but stated that the firm would continue to be a “brand for Hong Kongers”.

Chickeeduck has sold shirts that read “Liberate Sausages, Vegetables of our time” and “Five meatballs, no sauce left” – puns echoing slogans of mass 2019 demonstrations: “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our time” and “Five demands, not one less.”

“Liberate Hong Kong,” the slogan, was “capable to incite secession”, a serious offense under Beijing’s 2020 national security law. A judge had ruled this year.