Former performer claims Shen Yun forced children to make money for the dance group.
Former Shen Yun dancer, Chang Chun-Ko, has filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Manhattan, accusing the leaders of the dance group of trafficking vulnerable children to work for little to no pay. The lawsuit describes Shen Yun as a “forced labor enterprise” that has exploited underage dancers through threats and public shaming to generate substantial revenue.
Chang Chun-Ko, who joined Shen Yun at the age of 13 and performed with the group until she was 24, alleges that the organization instills obedience in its dancers through various tactics, including confiscating passports, isolating them from outside media, and subjecting rule-breakers to public critique sessions. She claims that she was recruited from Taiwan and that Shen Yun has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue through these exploitative practices.
The lawsuit was filed under a federal law that allows victims of forced labor to bring lawsuits against their traffickers. It comes after a report by The New York Times exposed abusive conditions faced by Shen Yun performers. The New York State Department of Labor has initiated an inquiry into the company’s labor practices, including its use of child performers.
Shen Yun, a group that promotes the message of the Falun Gong religious movement, has performed extensively around the world. The organization has denied violating any laws and stated that labor laws do not apply to their underage performers, as they are considered students on a learning opportunity rather than employees. Shen Yun representatives have emphasized that participation in the group is voluntary and that many students view it as a dream come true.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, with Chang Chun-Ko aiming to certify it as a class action. Representatives of Shen Yun and Falun Gong have not yet provided a comment on the lawsuit. This is an ongoing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.
Source: The NY Times
