The York Weekly: Maine legislators embrace Chinese beliefs

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Wednesday, March 5, 2003

Maine state legislators passed a resolution on Valentine's Day that shows support for the spiritual beliefs of those who practice Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) and condemned the persecution of the devotees in China.

The resolution passed easily in both the House and Senate. It was a joint resolution, co-sponsored by Representative Ben Dudley, R-Portland, and Senator Ken Lemont, R-Kittery.

Speaking in support of the resolution, Rep. Dudley said, "I've learned that hundreds of people have been killed in custody in China - a hundred thousand or perhaps more are imprisoned, facing beatings and torture, forced medication and other types of unspeakable horrors. We know that there are impacts of this persecution directly here in Maine with the experiences of our fellow Mainers, the Pomerleaus.

"We also know that the People's Republic of China is interfering in domestic U.S. affairs when it comes to Americans speaking out and actually practicing the teachings of Falun Dafa. I am proud to bring the voices of Maine people to bear on the horrible injustices taking place in China."

Senator Lemont added, "This harmless, therapeutic practice has helped millions achieve good health, and in my opinion, this is about basic human rights and the opportunity to live without fear of persecution."

Falun Dafa is a cultivation system for improving the mind, body and spirit. It was first introduced in China in 1992 by Master Li Hongzhi, eventually spreading to more than 40 countries with more than 100 million practitioners.

The core principles of the spiritual belief system are truthfulness, compassion and forbearance.

Kittery resident Martin Fox, who practices and teaches the belief system, said he thinks the legislators realized that what is going on in China and in the U.S. is wrong, and decided to speak out about it.

"People from Maine went to China and were detained," Fox said. "Just to have a piece of paper there saying Falun Dafa is good can get you thrown in jail. Who does not believe in such simple life premises as truth? Apparently, the Chinese government."

Fox said people in the United States are also harassed. He said there are lawsuits and resolutions going on across the country, including one in U.S. District Court in Illinois charging the Chinese government with [genocide] for their persecution of followers.

Fox said he believes the Chinese Communist party is jealous and threatened by Falun Dafa because they have more [practitioners] than the Communist party [members].

"Some states here that have passed resolution have been visited by the Chinese, trying to persuade them to reject it," Fox said. "In some cases, it has happened - more for economic reasons, fear of losing trade agreements."

Letters of support for the Maine resolution were read from U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe and Congressman Michael Michaud. Also three Maine Falun Gong practitioners, who last year traveled to China to help clarify the truth to the Chinese citizens, spoke of their detention and mistreatment encountered in a Chinese jail.

The resolution also proclaims March as Falun Dafa Month. In March, a series of talks and demonstrations of the unique exercises of Falun Dafa will be offered in several Maine towns. Details will be available in early March. All Falun Dafa activities and instruction are free.

Fox will be teaching a class in March at York Adult Education, the date to be determined.

"All classes are free, the books are free and can be downloaded," Fox said.

The resolution recognizes the principals of Falun Dafa and its benefits to people's lives. It blasts the government of the People's Republic of China for outlawing the practice of Falun Dafa and for creating a campaign of persecution and terror against its peaceful adherents.

More information on Falun Dafa is available on the Web at www.falundafa.org, and news about the persecution can be found at www.faluninfo.net.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/yorkweekly/03052003/news/16103.htm