Probably best known for the free newspaper The Epoch Times and the ubiquitous posters for the Shen Yun dance company, Falun Gong or Falun Dafa is a religious group begun in China and now based in New York led by Li Hongzhi, revered as a diety within the cult. As with many religious groups, they experience oppression and exclusion in China. In recent years they have become known for their far-right political views, support of QAnon, and vocal support for extremist political figures.
Started almost two decades ago with a stated mission to “provide information to Chinese communities to help immigrants assimilate into American society,” The Epoch Times now wields one of the biggest social media followings of any news outlet.
Does the ubiquitous dance troupe really present five thousand years of civilization reborn?