From: John Murtari (murtarij@yahoo.com)
Date: Fri Aug 06 2010 - 11:58:33 EDT
AKidsRight.Org - All the information in our messages if FREE for reuse as you desire. Subscribe/unsubscribe info at end of this message. ========================================= Good People & People of Faith, 1. DC Rally - Your reports/pictures. 2. Vancouver - F4J Canada Parade participation. 3. Swedish Film - Baskerville & Amnesty International. 4. Coleman Hunger strike - how you can help. 5. Your FEEDBACK - reform rallies & goals? There were two Rallies in Washington, D.C. at the end of July. (#1) The Family Preservation Festival -> http://dcrallyforfamilyrights.com/ -- held at Upper Senate Park (in any photo you just see office buildings in the background) and (#2) We The People Family Preservation Festival (DC Rally Fest) -> http://www.officialdcrallyfest.com/ -- held on the lawn of the Capitol building (you will usually see the US Capitol in the background). It was all very confusing between the blend of names & websites. Below you will find some first hand reports from participants and organizers. Your thoughts on the rallies and what we need to do for the future are welcome. The next message will be dedicated to your FEEDBACK on that topic! (For a faster reply, send FEEDBACK to jmurtari@AKidsRight.Org). Briefly, I feel we are failing miserably to gain any traction as a movement. We need to critique ourselves and try to understand why. I've been to many DC Rallies in the past -- the last impressive Rally was in 2007. It had a single key organizer who dedicated himself to bringing people and groups together for an effective event. There were hundreds in attendance! He was Rev. Ronald Smith from Chicago. There were big plans for the future, but he died from a heart attack (some notes on Ron): http://daddy.typepad.com/daddyblog/2008/09/parental-right.html http://proteinwisdom.com/pub/?p=1444 Here are some thoughts & pictures I had from that Rally http://www.akidsright.org/dcrally2007/ 1. DC Rally Reports/Pictures ---------------------------- [ There was no main-stream media coverage of these events. I'm including links to stories/photos sent to me. Let me know if there are others. ] - Reports on Examiner.Com: By: Daniel Weaver http://www.examiner.com/x-14537-Albany-CPS-and-Family-Court-Examiner~y2010m7d27-Family-Preservation-Fest-2010-small-but-successful By: Teri Stoddard http://www.examiner.com/x-15873-Family-Rights-Examiner~y2010m7d27-Families-rally-in-Washington-DC-on-Parents-Day - Video & Picture Links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvKEJEEE21c (Ray Lautenschlager & NOPE, #1 Rally) http://picasaweb.google.com/jmurtari/JackFrost#slideshow/ - Reports from participants: --- Bessie Hudgins <my14mema@yahoo.com> http://www.three-sides-to-every-story.org/ ... While I understand the bitterness that so many of us feel over our children and our grandchildren, I have come to understand what is more important. We must move beyond the bitterness and anger and pull together to make our movement work for all. I have witnessed so much conflict and infighting within this movement that it breaks my heart that we all want the same thing, but yet we can't work together to make it happen. Shame on us all that can't figure out a way to make this movement work in numbers that they could not ignore. OUR BABIES NEED US TO PULL TOGETHER. --- Jeff Golden <jeffface@aol.com> (long time reformer) The two rallies that were allegedly to take place in Washington the weekend of July 23rd through 25th were a HUGE disappointment. First, why would there be two separate demonstrations for generally the same issues scheduled in DC for the same weekend and just two blocks apart? Couldn't organizers of the two events have put aside their egos and negotiated a merger? If they had, there could have been a single bigger group that would have attracted media attention. ... There were a few people at the We The People DC Rally on the west lawn of the Capitol Building, but this is a very big space for a small group. There were people representing too many unrelated and non-family issues situated around the shady edges of the area. The speakers were too far away to heard, it was very hot, and we didn't stay long. And something else -- a warning that I foolishly ignored -- neither of these events had anyone or any organization identified as the organizer. There was no one's name, no phone number, and no email address. The "contact us" link on the websites went nowhere. Even their websites were privately registered so you couldn't find out whose it is with a "Whois." Why wasn't anyone proud enough to willingly identify him or herself with these events? From now on, I will NEVER promote any event unless I can personally speak with the organizers. Bottom line, except for David Wilson's annual DC Fathers Day demonstration (thank you, David), this year there was NO demonstration for noncustodial parents in Washington. No wonder the legislators ignore us. Jeff Golden Fathers and Children's Equality http://www.facenj.org/ --- Ray Lautenschlager (from Facebook - organizer #1 Rally) I have to say that the rally in DC was fun but exhausting for me. Those that were there do not need to be reminded of the heat, those that were not, just say 100+ with indexes in the 115 range which is more than even a healthy person should be exposed to for long. The crowds were light but good and we were able to engage many people as they walked by the site and explain to them the problems that many of us face on a day to day basis. I got the opportunity to speak face to face with many that I have known by email or internet for a long time and make many new friends... Saturday was kickoff and the work did start early and was non-stop. Because of the circumstances that were presented I did end up being the MC for the rally. L was having some problems with the heat and my old training kicked into gear. No complaints and many good speakers told their stories and that of their own organizations... I especially want to thank Mark Young for posting the video of the speeches and for http://MNOW.TV/ for videoing every day so that a DVD of the entire event will be available for all. Sunday was started off by the presentation of the Pledge of Allegiance by a 6 year old Gavin. Steven Walker from Institute for the American Family presented special awards to many that have put forth a special effort in this fight. I continued with my MC duties and had the chance to talk with Mike McCormack from ACFC, Stan Thorne, Steven Walker and many others that I have know for a long time. One big thing that I did see is who walks the walk and who is only talking with no solutions. While some of the talkers are complaining now, they are also the ones that did not show up... Arm chair critics are a dime a dozen and if you can't back your words with action you might be best to keep your mouth shut. I came off this will a very positive for all involved and look forward to next year when we will make this better and bigger for all. Work has already begun and you all need to make your plans to be there. --- Jack Frost <fr33j6ck@yahoo.com> (Participant at #2 Rally) These are my honest impressions good and bad. I arrived late Friday night about 10:00 PM I was staying with some relatives. Apparently Thursday and Friday F4J members were suppose to be meeting with legislators. I got the impression that some of the meetings were kind of "preliminary" and I saw reference to concrete meetings with them next year? I was not involved in these and was just there for Sat, Sun events. ... I arrived in Upper Senate Park around 9:30-10:00 I saw some random tables set up and a few people wearing F4J shirts and I saw an F4J banner hung on a port a potty (nice). I had talked with a few f4J folks online and was involved with some of the "talkshoe" discussions about the rally so some people recognized my name and I theirs. They were very friendly and welcoming. I asked about getting an f4j t-shirt which I purchased for 20 bucks. I sure this is one way they raise money. I think f4j has very good marketing/flair and are easily recognizable. I helped set up the stage for the speakers. They were running late according to the schedule they posted and someone stated the schedule was more or less a rough guide. After having driven 7.5 hours to get there I wasn't very pleased with the later start, 10:00 am, and the schedule being refereed to as a rough guide. I left my house on time at 12:30 PM the previous day... The speakers were very professional and all of them were taped (very good idea). I hope they are posted somewhere where they can be viewed by people who couldn't attend the event. I can not stress enough that all of the speakers in f4j had very relevant and worthwhile things to say. At one point one father who had been broken by the system and actually became homeless shared his story and thoughts. During his speech which I found to be very passionate and worthwhile I left to visit the "other rally". This leads into one of the biggest issues which is a lack of unity among group, huge problem. When I arrive at the other rally I met Ray L. who was one of the main organizers of that rally. Very friendly welcome and it was nice to met one of the leaders whom I had talked to several times online. I was wearing my f4j t-shirt and I was a little uncomfortable with how it might be received (completely unnecessary and no one should feel that way IMHO). I was essentially trying to show support for both groups but had an utterly awkward feeling. The stage for this rally was very nice and colorful whoever put it together did a fantastic job. The only thing that gave me pause was a string of lights in the shape of a cross along the front. Not all supporters of equal parenting may agree with having such a religious symbols. At one point someone gave a very impassioned prayer on the stage with the "fire and brimstone" feel which again could have turned some people off. I heard one person (from f4j) say out loud that this is a political rally not religious. Personally I don't have a problem with there being some prayer being said but I felt it was over the top. I heard one speaker, Jill Egizii, at this rally who described herself as working with disabled adults and children and how she is as passionate about working legislative change and judicial reform in the family courts. After her speech I approached her and asked her for contact information so I could she may sotry with her about what I had to do for my disabled son. I asked her to reference my story if she found it helpful and I sent her info shortly after I returned home. http://www.examiner.com/x-14537-Albany-CPS-and-Family-Court-Examiner~y2010m6d14-Dad-stages-protest-in-Glens-Falls-over-DNR-order-issued-on-his-disabled-son-without-his-permission The location of this rally was great for picture taking because of the capital building directly behind the stage. However the intense heat caused everyone to seek relief form trees along the side of the open space. This caused all the other groups to be spread thin across this long tree line well away from the stage. Anyone passing by would probably not have have thought that the stage and these groups were all related and their for the same cause. What was really needed was a large tent right in front of the stage without this it pretty much makes this location useless because of the hot July sun... After lunch we re-grouped in one of the local hotels. This was a nice because of a/c and cold water provided by the hotel. The speakers were awesome! Again I think the videos of these speakers would be invaluable to whomever watches them. There was talk of splitting of into different groups to talk about certain topics interested to people. It seemed to me that most people were interested in parental alienation and most people gathered in that group. I wasn't interested in that per se. I wanted to talk about what I could do at a very local level or even a state level to bring about change. Some of the speakers talked about what could and should be done at this level and I was hoping for some discussion on coordinating these events in each state or somehow cooperating within or between states, however this didn't happen. There was talk of kind of doing a speed dating type thing or otherwise sharing of ideas. I think this was again a lost opportunity. You had some very good leaders that could have coordinated these types of discussions but after some brief enthusiasm the discussions kind of dissolved. http://picasaweb.google.com/jmurtari/JackFrost#slideshow/ We had a picture taking event at the "other rally" in front of the capital building. Many f4j flags and t-shirts showed up in these and the advertising/flair of f4j was prominent in any pictures taken. At this point these pictures had people from of all of the different groups and consequently was a benefit to f4j because of the flags and t-shirts displaying f4j messaging. I think the marketing by f4j and the name recognition is "spot on" and definitely one of the things the f4j folks are doing correctly. At one point while I was having a discussion with another f4j person a member of the general public came up to me to thank me for my/our (f4j) efforts. This was really nice thing and again points to the success of f4j messaging/advertising. Unfortunately I have to make special note of the discord between the two groups and especially the leadership of both groups. I was just a "innocent" member and I had feelings of awkwardness and of general sadness about the obvious lack of the presence of the leadership of f4j to show themselves at the "other" rally. Overall I think the f4j rally was more beneficial and organized - could have been better in many respects. The biggest failure of both groups was the lack of unity displayed by the leadership - simply no place for that. ,,, oh I wanted to mention that I did not attend anything on Sunday. There was a march scheduled at 2:00 PM which ended up starting at 3:00 or 3:30 again very late start and with people traveling back home that day I imagine many didn't participate, including me, because of this - another lost opportunity. One f4j member who attended the march(Fred Schueler) posted on his blog that this was one of the best events and the main reason he attends the rally. 2. Vancouver - Report of F4J Parade participation. -------------------------------------------------- Submitted by: "Burnaby batman" burnabybatman@shaw.ca Greetings everyone from Vancouver BC. As you may already be aware Fathers 4 Justice Canada participated for the 5 year in the annual Vancouver Pride Parade on August 01/10. The day before the parade F4J team members and family gathered together for a nice BBQ held at the BC Bat Cave and a great day of food and fellowship was had by all. Sunday, August 01/10, F4J Canada team members gathered for 11:00 AM in downtown Vancouver to Participate in the Parade. Our float this year like last consisted of a 30 foot trailer decked out with structures to stand on, a mock family court, many banners and flags and about 30 every day heroes. F4J Canada everyday heroes consisted of our float driver Don Williams, a cowboy, an Indian, a construction worker, biker dude, two police officers, fire fighter, Navy dude, BC Hulk, Robin QC, an Egyptian, Cat Woman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Spider Man, Venom, Sandy, Spider Woman, Bat Girl, a Gladiator, Burnaby Batman and many other everyday heroes. The Parade began at 12:00 PM noon under grey skies and wound its way through the downtown core of Vancouver. There was an estimated 800,000 spectators at this years parade and Fathers 4 Justice Canada entry was well received by those in attendance . We would like to thank all those who participated with us in this years event and all those who helped in making this years event another successful opportunity for us to spread our message of equality to the masses. More pictures, video and a web page will soon be made available to you all. My Very Best To All of You: Rob Robinson - NAC - Fathers 4 Justice Canada Fathers 4 Justice Canada's participation in this world class event may now be viewed directly at - http://f4jcanada.com/BCPages/F4J_Canada_Vancouver_Pride_Parade_2010.html There are over 100 hundred pictures on the page and a short video clip included as well. Once more we would like to thank all those helped us in making this event another one of success. 3. Swedish Film - Baskerville & Amnesty International ----------------------------------------------------- Dr. Stephen Baskerville is probably the best known author and writer on Family Law reform. He has been interviewed many times by the media and has had many articles and also a book, "Taken into Custody" published. His contact info is: sbaskerville@cox.net http://www.StephenBaskerville.net/ Below is a link to an article he wrote about a Swedish movie on reform being removed from a Film Festival of Amnesty International because of political correctness? The YouTube link takes you directly to the movie. It is nicely done. http://www.lewrockwell.com/baskerville/baskerville13.1.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv&v=F_nwJfpOuGI&annotation_id=annotation_871436 4. Coleman Hunger strike - how you can help. -------------------------------------------- For more background and info on Mr. Coleman, including his address and news articles, see: http://www.AKidsRight.org/archive/archive2010/0028.html http://www.billcolemaninnocentmanwrongfullyconvicted.webs.com Submitted by: Geoff Coleman <geoffc88@tiscali.co.uk> Bill coleman has now been on his hunger protest for over three weeks. His condition as deteriorated and he has lost some weight. His Family and friends are denied any telephone contact with him as the DOC will not allow Bill to make calls. The reason Bill is on a protest to highlight the failing justice system and to point out that innocent people are convicted through lack of judicial support. Please help! > I wrote a letter to bill and sent your message out on our last > newsletter. What would really help is the name/address of the DA > and Judge involved, along with the Governor. > It seems he should qualify for some type of "early release" or just > "probation" in lieu of jail. If anyone has that info, please let > me know. --- From <geoffc88@tiscali.co.uk> Judge William Cremins of Waterbury Superior Court. Waterbury, CT. Assistant State Attorney Cynthia Serafini prosecuted the case. Governor M.Jodi Rell, State Capital, 210 Capital Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106 Sentence was 15 years to be suspended after he serves 8 years. There is no parole or probation. He has to serve 8 years. Thanks for your help. 5. Your FEEDBACK - rallies & goals? ----------------------------------- This message was getting a bit long! Your thoughts on the rallies and what we need to do for the future are welcome. The next message will be dedicated to that topic. -- John Murtari ____________________________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari@AKidsRight.Org A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ ========================================= http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ A Kid's Right to Both Parents! --- Newsletter@kids-right.org To REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE LIST go to: http://kids-right.org/mailman/listinfo/newsletter
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