More than 1,500 Shen Yun Artists and Their Families Demand Investigation into CCP’s Influence on the Cultural Group

NEW YORK CITY—A petition demanding that the United States investigate Beijing’s use of American institutions to undermine their company and community has garnered over 1,500 signatures from artists and their families.

Launched in December 2024 amidst escalating hateful narratives directed at the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts, the signatories expressed their outrage at what they perceive as an assault on their principles, labor, and lifestyle.

The signatories noted that these “gross distortions and false narratives” were reverberating throughout mainstream media, fueled partly by legal tactics and “malicious calls for government investigations.” This petition was unveiled at a press conference at Lincoln Center in New York City, just hours before Shen Yun’s inaugural performance at the prestigious venue.

“We are worried about this cherished American company that brings hope and joy to millions. Our concern lies in Beijing’s capacity to manipulate and control our society,” they stated.

The petition seeks a Justice Department inquiry into the “foreign malign influence campaign” and urges accountability for those responsible. It also calls on Congress and the U.S. president to shield American companies from Chinese influence operations and urges media outlets to be responsible, disclose any connections their sources may have with Beijing, and strive for “true objectivity.”

Shen Yun was founded by practitioners of Falun Gong, a faith group that has faced severe persecution from the Chinese regime since 1999, following the rise of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) fears over its growing popularity.

Related Stories

Throughout its annual global tours, Shen Yun performs hundreds of shows featuring Chinese classical dance and music, bringing to life traditional values through narrative-based performances, while also drawing attention to ongoing human rights violations in modern-day China—all while facing disruptive actions from Chinese diplomats and sabotage from agents linked to the CCP.

Shen Yun emcee Leeshai Lemish presented data at the press conference illustrating a notable increase in bomb threats coinciding with the rise in online hate speech and allegations.

The reports overlooked a crucial aspect of Shen Yun’s narrative, Lemish pointed out.

“Families are suffering persecution in China. We have performers who have lost parents to persecution in China,” he stated. “We have performers who were unable to say goodbye to their parents or attend their children’s weddings.”

By portraying scenes of persecution on stage, he noted, the performers aim to “give voice to those in China who have none.”

Shen Yun performers expressed their astonishment at the claims made in The New York Times articles, such as allegations of a “toxic work environment.” Principal dancer Piotr Huang described these accusations as “insulting.”

‘Scary’

Kay Rubacek, a seasoned documentary producer whose children perform with Shen Yun as part of their studies at affiliated schools, emphasized the security risks posed by the CCP’s demonization of the company.

“It’s genuinely frightening; despite Shen Yun’s diligent safety measures during every tour, we remain concerned for their welfare,” she remarked.

Though none of the bomb threats have been realized, “we cannot afford to take it lightly,” said former Shen Yun dancer Alison Chen, now an instructor at a Middletown school linked to Shen Yun.

“That is utterly unacceptable. That is not merely a threat; it’s attempted murder,” Rubacek asserted.

Her son, Lee Rubacek, remarked that the ongoing threat campaign has become a distraction, diverting their focus from their art.

Shen Yun performers simply wish to dedicate themselves to their craft, he lamented. “What wrong have we committed to deserve such bomb threats and death threats?”

Petition

In late December 2024, a number of Shen Yun artists and staff initiated an online petition denouncing the attacks against Shen Yun and urging the U.S. government to conduct an investigation. This petition was eventually shared with parents, other relatives of the performers, as well as some former performers.

Over approximately two months, the petition amassed 1,557 signatures, encompassing 624 Shen Yun dancers, musicians, and production staff, 142 former dancers and musicians, and 791 family members, predominantly parents, Rubacek commented. Many signatories attached comments to their endorsements, and The Epoch Times verified the inclusion of the names and positions of each signer.

Some parent signatories are now organizing a community group with plans to present this petition to the U.S. government, according to Rubacek.

She previously produced a documentary series for NTD television, a sister media organization of The Epoch Times.

Beyond Shen Yun

The imperative to investigate Beijing’s influence in America extends beyond just Shen Yun, emphasized Levi Browde, executive director of the Falun Dafa Information Center.

“This sets a precedent. It showcases how the Chinese regime can weaponize American institutions against the U.S. If they are successful in their campaign against Shen Yun and the Falun Gong community, this behavior will not stop there,” he warned at the press conference.

The artists remain steadfast in their mission. Huang expressed that they are undeterred because the developments prove that the “CCP is fearful of us.”