Shen Yun Faces Constant Threat of Terrorist Acts by the CCP

Shen Yun performances and performers targeted with slashed tires, bomb threats, and more

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:25pm

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A fractured, abstract painting of a Shen Yun dancer in mid-leap, their form repeated in overlapping waves of vibrant colors, conceptually representing the energy and dynamism of the performance despite the constant threats it faces.The CCP's relentless efforts to disrupt Shen Yun performances worldwide reflect its determination to suppress traditional Chinese culture and target the Falun Gong spiritual practice.NYC Today

Shen Yun, a dance troupe that performs a show featuring the revival of authentic Chinese culture, has faced a 'constant threat' of terrorist acts orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for over 20 years, according to Levi Browde, executive director of the Falun Dafa Information Center. The threats have included slashed tires, bomb threats, mass shooting threats, and rape threats, leading to the cancellation of shows in some cases.

Why it matters

The CCP's efforts to disrupt and shut down Shen Yun performances around the world represent the regime's attempts to suppress traditional Chinese culture and target those associated with the Falun Gong spiritual practice, which the CCP has sought to eradicate in China. These threats against artistic expression in democratic countries highlight the CCP's long reach and willingness to interfere in the affairs of other nations.

The details

Browde explained that the CCP has used various tactics over the years to try to shut down Shen Yun, from pressuring theaters and local governments to outright sabotage of the troupe's buses, including slashing tires and tampering with brake systems. In recent years, the threats have escalated to include bomb threats, mass shooting threats, and even threats of rape and murder against the female performers.

  • Shen Yun was founded in New York in 2006 and has been performing around the world for the past 20 years.
  • About 10-12 years ago, buses of Shen Yun were attacked simultaneously in different countries around the world one weekend.
  • In the last 2-3 years, there has been a 'constant threat' of actual instances of slashing tires and sabotaging brake systems on Shen Yun buses.

The players

Levi Browde

The executive director of the Falun Dafa Information Center, which raises awareness about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

Shen Yun

A dance troupe that performs a show featuring the revival of authentic Chinese culture, founded by Falun Gong practitioners in New York in 2006.

Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

The ruling political party of China, which has sought to eradicate the Falun Gong spiritual practice and suppress traditional Chinese culture.

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What they’re saying

“It was started by people who practice Falun Gong, which is, as you mentioned in the intro, [is a] Buddhist-based spiritual practice… It got so popular, the Chinese regime tried to eradicate it, and so for the last 25 years, if you're a Falun Gong practitioner in China, you're subjected to detention, torture.”

— Levi Browde, Executive Director, Falun Dafa Information Center

“What's happened is this wave of really, let's call what they are: they're threats to carry out terrorist acts, bomb threats, threats to do mass shooting, threats to rape and kill the female performers at Shen Yun.”

— Levi Browde, Executive Director, Falun Dafa Information Center

What’s next

Local authorities in cities where Shen Yun performs will continue to monitor and investigate any threats made against the troupe, while the Shen Yun organization remains vigilant in protecting its performers and productions from potential attacks.

The takeaway

The CCP's relentless efforts to disrupt and shut down Shen Yun performances around the world demonstrate the regime's determination to suppress traditional Chinese culture and target those associated with the Falun Gong spiritual practice. This highlights the CCP's long reach and willingness to interfere in the affairs of democratic countries, posing a threat to artistic expression and freedom of speech.