Shen Yun dance group faces allegations of abuse and exploitation
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ESCONDIDO, Calif. — The Chinese dance group Shen Yun, known for its performances in San Diego and Escondido, is facing controversy following allegations of abuse and coercion within the organization.
A former dancer has filed a class-action lawsuit in New York, claiming that Shen Yun has made hundreds of millions of dollars by exploiting young dancers and forcing them to work grueling hours.
The lawsuit alleges that the organization dictates dancers’ weight, and regularly deprives them of necessary medical care. “The Shen Yun Defendants dictate the Dancers’ eating habits and weight, and regularly deprive Dancers from necessary medical care,” the lawsuit states. It further claims that “when Dancers are injured due to their grueling rehearsal and performance schedule, they are forced to work through their injuries.”
These allegations follow a series of in-depth investigative articles published by The New York Times last year, which reported on alleged abuse and coercion of students at the organization’s “Dragon Springs” campus in Deerpark, New York.
Shen Yun, however, denies these claims. In a statement, the organization said, “The allegations present a grossly distorted picture of our organization… Shen Yun is committed to fairness, accountability, and compliance with all applicable laws.” The statement also noted that their dancers train on full education scholarships.
Current dancers have come to the defense of the organization through social media posts and interviews. One dancer stated, “The Shen Yun that I go to is warm and supportive and positive.” Another, who has been with Shen Yun for over a decade, said, “I never felt coercion, I would say I felt guidance.”
Shen Yun has shows scheduled for March at the Escondido Performing Arts Center and in April at the San Diego Civic Theater. Both venues confirmed that Shen Yun rents space to perform shows at their facilities.
“Civic Theatre is a public venue. If Shen Yun complies with our licensing agreement and other facility guidelines, which all groups renting the Civic Theatre are required to follow, we would not restrict their use of the facility,” said a spokesperson for San Diego Theaters.
A spokesperson for Escondido Arts wrote, “Shen Yun is not now nor has ever been presented by the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, rather they rent space to present their show at our facility. Under the Unruh Civil Rights Act, we are required by law to give full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges or services in all business establishments as a non profit organization that has a business purpose or is a public accommodation.”
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