NEW YORK—State Assemblyman Michael Benjamin brought up his concerns of persecution and repression of freedom in China last Wednesday in Albany. Benjamin drew attention to the persecution of adherents of the Falun Gong spiritual practice.
"With the troubling and horrific treatment of those who practice Falun Gong in China, it is vital that we expose the brutal Chinese Communist regime," said Assemblyman Benjamin, who represents the Bronx.
Assemblyman Michael J. Fitzpatrick of Long Island said, "It is wrong and it has to stop," referring to the all-out persecution that was launched against Falun Gong in 1999 and has verifiably claimed the lives of at least 3,000 in China, according to the Falun Dafa Information Center.
The Assembly's concerns were brought up in conjunction with World Falun Dafa Day, which adherents of the practice (also known as Falun Dafa) celebrated on Sunday. The celebration included meditation in Flushing, and singing, dancing, and live music at Union Square Park.
Falun Gong, which includes five meditative exercises and is always offered free of charge, was introduced to the public on May 13, 1992, and quickly spread to over 70 million people in China by 1999.
While the New York State Assembly is not planning any concrete actions, Benjamin believes that the strongest weapon in fighting the persecution—spanning continents and cultures—is just plain awareness. Given the global economy, what happens in Albany could mean something in Beijing.
"Most of the news you hear is about China becoming a global economic power, you're not really hearing about its oppression of its people, its oppression of freedom and democracy," said Benjamin. "We can make the Chinese government afraid of what world opinion is going to be. If they really want to be global partners they need to get their act in order."
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