Shen Yun Toronto shows cancelled amid ‘escalating threats’ to venue

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The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto has cancelled all five remaining Shen Yun shows following what local presenter, the Falun Dafa Association of Toronto (FDAT), calls “hoax bomb threats.”

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FDAT says after a hoax bomb threat and the cancellation of the Shen Yun show on Sunday, the Four Seasons Centre has decided to cancel the remaining shows of the classical Chinese dance and music show scheduled for Wednesday and then Friday to Sunday due to “more threats.” There were two shows planned for Saturday.

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Toronto Police confirmed to the Toronto Sun on Thursday there were bomb threats made only Sunday and Monday and none since.

FDAT attributes “the fake threats to Beijing’s systematic global campaign to stop Shen Yun – a show that presents the beauty of ‘China before communism’ – and brings light to modern day human rights abuses happening in China.”

“We are all victims,” Joel Chipkar, spokesperson for FDAT, said in a press release. “We condemn the CCP for its continued threats to Canadians and our institutions and urge the theatre to stand with artists and reverse its decision.”

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A call to the media relations team at the Canadian Opera Company/Four Season Centre wasn’t immediately returned.

FDAT says “over the past two years, more than a dozen false bomb and death threats have targeted Shen Yun across Canada,” including a March 14-17 run at Mississauga’s Better Living Centre, Kitchener, and Vancouver, “all of which were deemed non credible.”

FDAT says “in those cases, venues implemented safety measures, conducted sweeps, and proceeded with performances.”

Peel Regional Police confirm they received a bomb threat via email involving the Better Living Centre on March 15.

Officers responded and it was “determined to be unfounded,” police said Thursday.

The Mississauga show reportedly started two hours late on the day that threat was received.

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FDAT told Monday remaining shows would proceed with beefed-up security

On Monday, FDAT says the Four Seasons Centre told them “the remaining shows would go forward with added security measures including K-9 services on site for the entire run, additional screening and security personnel.”

On Tuesday, FDAT says the Four Seasons Centre told them “it received escalating threats over the past 48 hours and decided to cancel the remaining Shen Yun shows.”

“We fully cooperated and agreed to enhance security. Despite that, the show was cancelled,” Chipkar said in a statement. “Thousands of audience members have been affected.”

CP24 reported in a message on its website that Shen Yun said due to the high volume, refunds cannot be processed immediately and asked for patience.

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“In the meantime, patrons may choose to convert their tickets into a non-expiring Shen Yun gift card for future performances,” it read.

FDAT’s press release says reports indicate the threats are “part of a coordinated effort by the Chinese Communist Party to silence the voice of Shen Yun, which was founded by victims of ongoing human rights abuses in China.”

Globally, FDAT says “over 150 similar false bomb threats have been received, all aimed at shutting down Shen Yun and no threat has ever materialized, all the shows have continued to perform — until now. The Four Seasons Centre’s decision is, regrettably, unprecedented.”

According to the FDAT release: “Shen Yun was created by people who practice the peaceful spiritual discipline of Falun Dafa, which has faced violent persecution by the Chinese Communist Party for 27 years because of its independence and spiritual values.”

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