This summer’s already starting to “hurt like a” … (you know the rest).

Turns out that Maroon 5 fans in China are being punished for band member Jesse Carmichael’s decision to wish the Dalai Lama a happy birthday over social media. (Don’t bother looking for the evidence on Instagram. It’s been deleted.)

That kind of thing doesn’t go over very well with Chinese officials. All the shows the band was set to play in China are now cancelled.

Looks like China isn’t giving Maroon 5 or their fans any “sugar” this summer.

I don’t think it’s fair to punish the fans for this. Freedom of speech man. Learn it, and if you don’t live it, accept that an AMERICAN band is going to practice it.

Jeez.

The sad news inspired me to post this dreamy piece of fan art I found of the band on Pinterest.

My heart goes out to the Chinese Maroon 5 fandoms.

View the original here.