Hong Kong will appeal the High Court’s rejection of its request to wipe a controversial protest song from the city’s internet, a move that could overturn a rare victory for free speech in the city.

The city’s justice department said in a statement Monday that it "considered it necessary to appeal” the court’s decision last month to block an interim injunction. That measure would have made it illegal for anyone with criminal intent to perform or broadcast Glory to Hong Kong.

Reiterating that disseminating or distributing the song was a national security crime, the government said in the statement that the injunction was crucial for safeguarding the city.