(Minghui.org) On August 4, 2025, Mayor Kerry Thomson of the city of Bloomington, Indiana, issued a proclamation to honor Shen Yun, in which she also condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) transnational suppression of the performing arts group.

In the 26-year persecution of Falun Gong, the CCP has extended its reach to persecute practitioners outside of China. Chinese agents in the U.S. frequently harass Falun Gong practitioners and interfere with Shen Yun Performing Arts performances, which exposes the persecution in its programs. Many political figures and human rights activists have condemned the CCP’s violation of human rights and freedom of belief.

In her proclamation Mayor Thomson affirmed the principles of Falun Gong’s teachings – Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. She praised Shen Yun for its outstanding achievements in promoting China’s 5,000-year traditional culture through its unique artistic expression. As the Mid-U.S. Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference is approaching, the Mayor declared August 16, 2025 Shen Yun Day in Bloomington.

Mayor Kerry Thomson of Bloomington, Indiana issued a proclamation for Shen Yun Performing Arts on August 4, 2025.

The proclamation reads:

WHEREAS, Shen Yun Performing Arts is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, established in New York in 2006 by a group of expatriate Falun Gong practitioners with the aim of reviving traditional Chinese culture and sharing it with the world; and

WHEREAS, Falun Gong is a spiritual practice that combines meditation, gentle exercises, and moral teachings based on Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance principles; and

WHEREAS, Shen Yun performances incorporate themes of spirituality, morality, and the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, which resonates with those who believe in Falun Gong’s teachings; and

WHEREAS, Shen Yun performs classical Chinese dance, ethnic and fork dance, and story-based dance, with orchestral accompaniment and solo performers; and

WHEREAS, Shen Yun’s dances tell the story of China’s 5,000 year history before communism, with stories and legends, vibrant costumes and backdrops, and original music; and

WHEREAS, Many of Shen Yun’s artists escaped persecution in China at the hands of a totalitarian regime that is at war with past traditions, religion, and its own history; and

WHEREAS, Shen Yun’s stated purpose is to revive traditional Chinese culture, particularly from before the Chinese Communist Revolution, presenting perseverance through music and dance; and

WHEREAS, The Chinese Communist Party has attempted to shut down Shen Yun performances across the globe by trying to smear the company’s reputation, pressuring theatres to cancel their shows, and telling VIPs not to attend shows; and

WHEREAS, Shen Yun is considered important by its supporters for preserving and showcasing traditional Chinese dance and music, and for its message of spiritual freedom and resistance against communism, and

WHEREAS, Since it was established nineteen years ago, Shen Yun has grown from one to eight equally large performance companies with its own dancers, orchestra, musical soloists, and production crew; and

WHEREAS, To date, Shen Yun has performed in 36 countries worldwide. Each year, Shen Yun’s traveling troupes tour around 200 cities across five continents, reaching over a million people.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kerry Thomson, Mayor of the City of Bloomington, do hereby proclaim August 16, 2025 as Shen Yun Day in Bloomington, Indiana.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed, the Seal of the City of Bloomington this 4th day of August 2025.

Kerry ThomsonMayor, City of Bloomington