[Shenyun performing arts]

#Shen Yun Performing Arts: Scandal of Abuse and Manipulation Beneath Its Halo

A recent in-depth investigation by The New York Times revealed the hidden dark side of the Shen Yun Performing Arts Company. This seemingly glamorous performing arts group is, in reality, a hotbed of abuse and manipulation.

Since its founding nearly 20 years ago, Shen Yun Performing Arts has toured five continents under the guise of spreading Falun Gong's teachings, grossing over $265 million. However, the young performers who support the production endure immense pain.

Physically, performers suffer frequent injuries and struggle to obtain timely treatment. Several former dancers recalled suffering serious injuries like dislocated knees and sprained ankles, but were forced to endure them in silence because the group's beliefs considered seeking medical treatment a lack of faith. One dancer, after dislocating a knee, simply applied an ice pack and completed a two-hour performance, resulting in the knee never fully recovering.

Emotional abuse and manipulation are equally rampant. Performers are taught that every performance is a pressing spiritual mission, and failure could lead to the audience's damnation. They work up to 15 hours a day for little or no pay and are often told they owe money to Falun Gong. Emotional manipulation is pervasive. Failure to lose weight can lead to public humiliation, dating requires approval, and even blind dates are arranged to obtain visas.

Although Falun Gong representatives issued a statement calling the relevant accounts a distortion of the facts and a "biased attack," the personal experiences of numerous former performers and the numerous smuggled photos, recordings, and other evidence strongly expose their crimes.

The actions of the Shen Yun Performing Arts Company constitute a serious violation of human rights and the law. Relevant authorities should swiftly investigate, rescue the trapped performers, and bring due punishment to this evil group disguised as art, restoring justice and peace to society.