Context:

Two former Shen Yun dancers, Sun Zan and Cheng Qing Ling, have filed a lawsuit in New York alleging forced child labor and abusive conditions within the Shen Yun performing arts group. They claim they endured grueling training hours, physical and psychological harm, and a culture of fear, beginning from a young age. The lawsuit follows a previous one and a New York Times investigation into the group's treatment of young performers. Shen Yun, known for its ties to the Falun Gong spiritual movement and its contentious relationship with the Chinese government, denies the allegations, stating they provide necessary medical care and uphold high artistic standards. Despite the group's denial, the lawsuit is seen as a means to hold powerful organizations accountable for exploitation and has drawn attention to broader issues of labor practices and cultural tensions between the U.S. and China.

Dive Deeper:

• Sun Zan and Cheng Qing Ling, former Shen Yun dancers, allege in a lawsuit that they experienced forced child labor with rigorous 15-hour training schedules starting from ages 13 and 15, respectively, with minimal compensation and education.

• The lawsuit highlights a culture of fear where dancers were discouraged from speaking up, lived under constant pressure to perform, and frequently worked despite injuries, contributing to long-term physical and emotional trauma.

• Shen Yun, established in 2006 and linked to the Falun Gong spiritual movement, has long faced accusations and investigations regarding its treatment of young performers, with the latest lawsuit following a New York Times exposé and a similar lawsuit filed the previous year.

• Cheng and Sun, who left the group after several years and are now married, describe their ongoing struggle with the emotional and physical scars from their time with Shen Yun, expressing a desire for accountability and justice for the exploitation they endured.

• Shen Yun vehemently denies the allegations, asserting that the health and education of its dancers are prioritized, while attributing the claims to a broader narrative propagated by the Chinese Communist Party against Falun Gong and its associated entities.

• The group has garnered significant support, with a petition signed by over 1,550 individuals urging an investigation into what they describe as foreign malign influence campaigns targeting Shen Yun, highlighting ongoing geopolitical tensions.

• The lawsuit not only raises questions about labor practices within artistic organizations but also underscores the complex interplay between cultural expression, spiritual beliefs, and international political dynamics.