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PARENT CLIMBS ARTWORK AT FEDERAL BUILDING SEEKING HELP FROM SENATOR HILLARY RODHAM CLINTONFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, August 18, 2005
Syracuse, NY (Hanley Federal
Building) – At 2 PM a lone parent, John Murtari, climbed the 20 foot sculpture
in the Federal Plaza. He unfurled a banner and also carried pictures of various
parents and children. The message was “Senator Clinton – Please help us!” He
was not dressed as a superhero, but wore a white shirt & tie and represented the
group AKidsRight.Org . He spoke of the need for Family Law reform and
protecting the Civil Right of mothers, fathers, and children to be secure as
family. A need to control the ease of parent/child splits that presently occur
due to divorce, separation, or the actions of social services.
The group hopes that a local
meeting between group members and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) may be
near. Local and national members have been calling and faxing the offices of
Senator Clinton regarding the recognition and protection of their Civil Right to
raise their own children. The group hopes this simple act will demonstrate
their love for the kids and their deep convictions that serious reform is
necessary.
The National Parent’s group
(AKidsRight.Org) is attempting to use the methods of Martin Luther King in its
search for reform. The Group would like Senator Clinton to respond to their
petitions for Congressional Hearings into the need for National Family Law
reform and potentially a Family Rights Act, by meeting with local parents.
The Group’s web site highlights the NonViolent philosophy and practice Martin Luther King used to
break the grip of segregation. It hopes a similar attitude will help bring
reform and also healing to parents who are often involved in bitter child
custody disputes with each other or social services. If the nation can observe
loving mothers and fathers making personal sacrifice to call attention to their
unjust separation from their children – positive reform can happen.
Mr. Murtari, a native of Lyons, New York and a former Air Force pilot and Academy graduate is a local
coordinator for the group. He is the President of a small Internet startup
company located in Baldwinsville, NY.
In contrast to the bitterness and
anger which is normally associated with protest efforts and family issues --
Murtari plans a positive attitude. He says they are NOT there to condemn Senator Clinton as a "bad person" or as
someone who doesn't care about family
or children's issues; however, as a natural part of the political process they
want to show their concern over the issue and to increase her sensitivity to their cause. The Group is hoping for
Congressional Hearings into
Family Law reform so that group members affected by the present patchwork of
laws across the nation will have a chance to tell their stories.
For more information: Mr.
Richard Southwick, Asst US Attorney Northern District of NY: 315-448-0672
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