Shen Yun: China Before Communism

An advertisement for Shen Yun's Toronto run from March 28 to April 5.

"This action [cancellation] was taken out of an abundance of caution, following the receipt of an escalating series of threatening messages that were swiftly reported to Toronto Police Service."

"The well-being of staff, crews, artists, and audiences remain our highest priority, and the difficult decision was made entirely in the interest of public safety."

"We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of our community as we continue to prioritize the safety of all those who work in and visit the Four Seasons Centre." 

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts 

 

"Many explosive devices have been placed at the Four Seasons Theatre and Parliament Hill in Canada."

"If the Shen Yun performance is not cancelled and continues to be shown, explosions are planned at Parliament Hill and the Four Seasons Theatre."

Police reported threat

 

"Cancelling the show under such circumstances sets a concerning precedent that foreign actors can disrupt Canadian business operation and society at will."

"However [additional received threats leading to show cancellation] those threats were never shared with the presenter and police confirmed to the presenter that no other threats have been reported." 

"[This is] Beijing’s systematic global campaign to stop Shen Yun -- a show that presents the beauty of ‘China before communism’ and brings light to modern day human rights abuses happening in China."

"10,000 Canadians [ticket-holders] were threatened by the Chinese Communist Party [CCP]. We are all victims."

Joel Chipkar, spokesman, Falun Dafa Association of Toronto (FDAT)  

The March 29, 2 p.m. performance of Shen Yun at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in downtown Toronto was abruptly cancelled due to a reported bomb threat.  CTV News

 

The Falun Dafa Association of Toronto castigated the Four Seasons Centre for its fearful response to a series of 'non-credible' threats to the venue, leading to its cancellation of scheduled performances, five in all, scheduled for April 1st to the 5th, over what the venue characterized as 'escalating threats'. The Canadian Opera Company whose home is the Four Seasons Centre stated that the unfortunate decision "Was taken out of an abundance of caution following the receipt of an escalating series of threatening messages that were swiftly reported to Toronto Police Service".

 

The New York-based performing arts company Shen Yun was founded by Falun Dafa, a faith movement known more familiarly as Falun Gong. Those faithful to the spiritual movement have experienced decades of persecution from the Chinese Communist Party. Through its spectacularly colourful and graceful professional performances the troupe showcases Chinese human rights abuses through highlighting the Middle Kingdom's cultural history "before communism". It was explained by a Shen Yun spokesperson that many of the show's artists fled persecution in China.

 

Just prior to the Sunday matinee, the Falun Dafa Association of Toronto was advised that individuals with the opera company and employees of the Four Seasons Centre had received an alarming email threat of an imminent bombing should the performances take place as scheduled. Police were notified and deemed the threat 'unfounded' leaving the theatre free to re-open despite that a performance was called off in the immediate wake of the email's message. A day later both venue and presenter agreed the remaining performances would proceed. 

 

A photo of a Shen Yun show. (Courtesy Shen Yun)

 

With the agreement the Four Seasons Centre would increase security measures, the matter seemed settled. Then the following day more threats were received, and the venue firmly stated the rest of the run would be cancelled. A steady stream of threats has been received during Shen Yun performances, assessed by law enforcement agencies as non-credible. In these previous instances performances continued, following bomb sweeps and added security. Which made the Four Seasons' decision an unexpected precedent.

 

According to the Falun Dafa Association, over 150 similar threats were received, yet nothing amiss was ever seen to occur. Shen Yun and Falun Dala groups accuse Beijing of attempting to disrupt the touring schedule of the show. This would be the same Beijing that has interfered in Canada's politics. That has opened secret 'police stations' in Canadian cities. And whose operatives in Canada have penetrated the government. Beijing's United Front Works Department harasses Chinese-Canadians who oppose the CCP.

 

A Liberal government that has been busy making trade and economic cooperation agreements with Beijing, overlooking its human rights abuse record that includes forced labour, persecution of minorities and in Canada itself cyber warfare, threats against Chinese-Canadians, theft of Canadian trade secrets and hostage diplomacy where Canadian citizens have been incarcerated in China on trumped-up charges of espionage to force an outcome in China's favour from Canada. 

 

A photo of a Shen Yun performance. (Courtesy Shen Yun)

"[The] cowardly attack on artistic expression and our freedom [this week, is bigger than one single stage production]."

"It raises serious concerns about allowing foreign interference -- or any threats -- to dictate what Canadians can see and who can express themselves."

"This is a risk to all Canadians, not just Shen Yun."

Joel Chipkar