On March 29, about 2,000 people were evacuated from the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto following an anonymous bomb threat sent from a Chinese-named Gmail account. Toronto Police determined the threat to be “unfounded.” Despite this, the venue cancelled the show and, two days later, cancelled the remaining five Shen Yun performances.
The threatening email in this incident is consistent with patterns observed in previous cases, some of which authorities have traced to mainland China.
Over the past two years, Shen Yun has received more than 150 bomb or death threats worldwide. In every instance investigated, authorities confirmed the threats were hoaxes, and performances either proceeded as scheduled or resumed after brief delays.
This incident shows how easily transnational threats can disrupt cultural events in Canada. Intimidating a performing arts company threatens not just one group, but the broader arts community and Canada’s values of artistic freedom and free expression.
The Timeline
- MARCH 29
• A Chinese-name email bomb threat was received.
• The theatre cancelled the performance, and evacuated everyone on-site (about 2000 people)
• The police arrived, and, 45 minutes later determined the threat was “unfounded", no explosives or credible danger identified.
• Staff and artists were allowed to return to the venue, but the performance remained cancelled.
- MARCH 30
The Four Seasons Centre agreed to proceed with the remaining performances under enhanced security measures, including K9 units and screenings, paid by the Toronto presenter of Shen Yun - the Falun Dafa Association of Toronto.
- MARCH 31
Four Seasons Centre management emailed a notice cancelling the remaining six sold-out performances, citing “escalating threats,” without further details.
- THE FACTS
• Over the past 24 months, Shen Yun has faced more than 150 similar hoax threats worldwide.
• In major cities such as New York, London, and Paris, performances have proceeded as scheduled.
• Just a week prior, a similar threat in Mississauga led to a brief delay, after which the performance continued.
Watch the Untold Story of Shen Yun
Learn more by watching Unbroken, a documentary that sheds light on the challenges Shen Yun artists have faced amid ongoing intimidation and threats from one of the world’s most authoritarian regimes.
