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Tomorrow, at about 4 PM, I'll report to the Jamesville Correctional Facility (near Syracuse, NY) for a six month sentence for what the system says is a 'willful failure to support my child.' If you are new to this and need the background, please check http://www.AKidsRight.Org/support_jm.htm

Tomorrow I'll tell the system:

"No, I won't answer any processing questions."

"No, I won't walk with you or go where you say -- you'll have to drag me."

"No, I won't eat your food or drink your water -- you'll have to keep me hydrated via IV, and feed me via tube."

"No, I'm not doing this to protest jail conditions or the treatment of prisoners. I'm doing this because I do not

belong here and an unjust system sent me here."

"No, nothing you can do will change this until I am released from jail and have my freedom again."

"No, I don't want to hurt myself."

"Yes, I will talk with you and treat you with courtesy and respect."

"Yes, I will tell you how very, very much I love my son."

"Yes, I'm doing this because I should not be a prisoner.

I should not be in jail. My most basic rights are being violated."

"Yes, I wish to make myself a burden if I'm kept a prisoner."

"Yes, I know this will make your job a burden. I'm sorry. But I'm not the reason this is happening. The system isn't working....basic family rights are not protected"

I'll tell you I am a bit anxious about what is going to happen. How far will I have to go? How much sacrifice will be required? Have I done all the preparation necessary to get ready?

Many thanks to the kind words of support many of you have sent in.

Especially to Teri Stoddard, our PR person, [email protected], and Kevin Purdy, who will be handling my email, [email protected]. Also for the good advice of Jane Spies, [email protected] .

How to help

The system will want to 'bury' me and minimize any outside effect of  what I am about to do. Teri and Kevin have volunteered to help in a special way and do what they can. Your participation with them is welcome. Check this link for how to help by contacting officials and the media: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/support_jm_contact.htm

Visits at Jail

If you live in the Syracuse area I would welcome you to visit me at the Jamesville Correctional Facility.(http://www.ongov.net/Correction).

Because of my planned noncooperation, my ability to communicate with the outside will be very limited. Having people visit and talk to me is the best way to get the word out and also let jail officials know people are interested. I will enter on Monday, it would be great to see people Tuesday or Wednesday!

An inmate is allowed two visits/week, with a maximum of two people/visit. The hours are posted at their web site. To make sure no limits are exceeded, please contact Kelly Button ([email protected], 877-635-1968,x-215) to let him know your plans. He can let you know what visit times are available.

Effective? - Faith, Love & Personal Sacrifice - No 'nastiness'

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If you reread what I said above, nothing bad. If you read my letter to the Judge below, nothing bad. I talk about how much I love my son and care for him. So how do I make my point? Where is the forcefulness in the message? Doesn't it help make our point if we punch someone in the face? No. Can't we at least call them bad names, denigrate them as we have been treated? No.

My planned action. What I am going to do. What I am ready to sacrifice. Our actions, our voluntary sacrifices, are the EXCLAMATION POINT to what we say. We can change hearts that way.

How can a person act that way? We have talked about the historical basis for NonViolent Action as most recently practiced by Gandhi and King -- Faith in a loving God. http://www.AKidsRight.Org/civil.htm

I pretty confident we are going to see a good result. You?

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Dear Judge Hedges, July 28, 2006

I was recently sentenced to six months on the basis of a child support violation. Jail is to begin on July 31st and I hope the term can be reduced or eliminated. I write hoping unnecessary expenses and workload can be avoided and to ease meaningless suffering on my part and for my child.

If you have time our group's website has a complete chronology of this matter, including copies of transcripts and most documents. http://www.AKidsRight.Org/support_jm.htm

A review should show the proper venue for this matter should be Wayne County. I believe an intentional effort was made to mislead the Court regarding my living address.

I pleaded with everyone and had no relief. I did phone testimony in a last minute arrangement while taking care of my ill mother in our home. She died two weeks later. Most importantly, it will show how strongly I hold the duties of family. I gave up an Air Force Pilot career to help with my folks (I'm an only child). In the last five months of my mom's life I sacrificed work to stay at home full time and care for her with the help of Hospice staff. Above all I love my son Domenic, very, very much -- and he loves me.

My work decisions allow me to maximize my time with my son. Even with only a brief visit that closeness was visible to the Probation officer who submitted his report.

We each make our own family choices. These were my decisions. I like to think I'm respected in my local community and my church. A well-formed conscience is a valuable guide to morality and I have always tried to do the right thing. I have made numerous good faith efforts to try to get support resolved both through modifications and directly with my former spouse. All my efforts have been either ignored or rebuffed.

I am not a criminal. I am not selfish. I'm simply a parent who loves his child and wants to do what is best for him. I have done nothing that deserves jail. I can most heartily assure you that if I had the money, I would pay it -- it is not worth all this time & struggle.

I'm sure you care about children and families, as do most people that currently practice in the courts. This is not a people problem. We have many good people in the courts. The family law system has too few checks & balances to govern itself. Because I run a business, the system plays the law of averages and assumes I'm hiding money without any real proof. That is not justice. But the primary goal of my reform effort is not about money and child support.

How can 'due process' rights be preserved without clear legal protection or recognition of my human right to be considered a fit & equal parent to my child? Before we take a person's freedom, we have a strong presumption of innocence, a right to counsel, and the protection of a jury. The same should apply to interference with the parent/child bond. Real proof and unbiased jurors to decide. We need a Federal Family Rights Act.

Many think a letter such as this is a waste of time. I do not. I have to try in hope that a lot of pain to my son and I can be avoided. Pending jail has already adversely affected my business and six months or sixty months will not (and should not) change my behavior -- I love and support my child. I had wonderful parents and I want to pass that on to Domenic. I am not just an ATM machine and money alone is not support.

As a moral individual, a former member of our armed forces, and a parent who cares about his family -- I am at a loss at how to further respond to such an unjust sentence of jail. In 2000, this happened to me and I lost a summer vacation with my son. I was a model prisoner and just "went along."

This year I was fortunate to have my vacation with my son. We were both very afraid it might not happen. I'm approaching my 50th birthday and it is silly and an indignity to live under the threat of being thrown in jail for six months any time a petition is filed by my former spouse. I also must act with the confidence of my convictions.

Once I report to the jail I will not cooperate with any processing or orders. I will not be rude or resist, but just remain passive. I will not eat or drink voluntarily. I expect them to use medical means like an IV to keep me hydrated and fed. This is NOT a hunger strike.

My only fair response to such an unjust sentence is to maximize the amount of effort that must be used to hold me captive as a prisoner. I am not unfamiliar with jail and I know how they may react -- it will be an uncomfortable experience for all involved. Judge, I hope it is not necessary, but I have no other recourse and the reform effort may gain some valuable national publicity from this effort. I hope to have many good parents on the outside acting in support of my actions.

I hope and pray this can all be avoided. You said you were ready to retire and were not influenced by politics. You said your only options were 'jail' or 'probation' -- I hope you can find the third way.

Respectfully yours,

John Murtari

Coordinator AKidsRight.Org

[email protected] "A Kid's Right to BOTH parents"

Toll Free (877) 635-1968(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/

from : Paul Sims and Chris Millar, Evening Standard, 3 February 2004

Police launched a series of raids across the country today as they attempted to smash a campaign of action by men protesting over fathers' rights.

Officers from several forces targeted at least 10 addresses in an operation led by Scotland Yard.

The move followed travel chaos across London yesterday and today on roads including the A13, A2, M4, A40 and the approach road to the Blackwall Tunnel. Protesters dressed as superheroes scaled bridges and gantries, forcing police to close key roads while they tried to persuade the men to come down.

Police confirmed that they were investigating members of the campaign group Fathers 4 Justice over an alleged "conspiracy" to plan further disruption.

The Met said the raids were on the homes of the men involved in yesterday's protests. Police took away computers, photographs, placards and protest information.

Police are believed to have targeted addresses in Bristol, Plymouth, London and Portsmouth as part of the operation.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police confirmed: "Yes, there have been raids. They were conducted overnight and this morning and are part of a conspiracy-type investigation."

It comes as the Evening Standard revealed the background of four protesters involved in the demonstrations. They are Darryl Westell, 23, a drama  student from Nottingham; Graham Manson, a 36-yearold window cleaner from the Isle of Dogs; Jolly Stanesby, 35, a registered childminder from Ivybridge, Devon; and Paul Robinson, 37, an IT consultant from Plymouth. Mr Manson was involved in a protest above the A13 near Canning Town.

It was part of a campaign by Fathers 4 Justice to highlight what they believe is unfairness in the legal system which prevents fathers from keeping in touch with children after relationship breakdowns.

Four men gave themselves up before 8pm last night and were taken to Charing Cross police station. The identity of a fifth man, who was with Mr Stanesby, is not yet known.

Mr Manson stayed out overnight, keeping warm by pacing up and down the gantry. He came down after today's morning rush hour.

Four of the five men involved were arrested.

Mr Manson revealed he had joined the protest because his expartner has prevented him from seeing her six-year-old daughter, to whom he had acted as a "commonlaw stepfather" for four years.

"Within the space of a month, she found someone else and had banned me from ever seeing the girl I regard as my daughter," he said.

Responding to today's raids, Fathers 4 Justice spokesman Matthew O'Connor said: "It seems as though there is a sustained effort on the part of the police to try and crush what's happened."

Four men closed the Clifton suspension bridge in Bristol today for a second day. Three were arrested.

Monday, 2 Feb 04, Candlemas day, Dublin, Ireland: Ms Judge O'Reilly issued a body blow to Fathers and extended families this Candlemas day by jailing a Father in a plea to see his children. In his petition to see his children, the Judge refused to deal with the "Continuous breach of Access orders" by the Mother and instead said that she would deal with the alleged breach of "Financial matters" by the Father, instead. Tony pleaded his inability to fully pay the maintenance order and requested the Judge to review his financial situation. He had paid maintenance up to date.

Tony told Ms Judge Reilly "that due to laws that discriminate against Fathers and their children, I am taking a stand for all Fathers and their childrens' rights in Ireland". From six o' clock this evening Tony has taken the extreme measure of refusing all food for the duration of his stay in Mountjoy prison.

Fathers civil rights group, USFI, will stage a protest, to support Tony and his family, this Tuesday morning outside Mountjoy prison. USFI will be mounting a vigil outside Mountjoy calling on the Prison to have Tony released immediately. Ray Kelly, founder of USFI, demanded that "The laws must change before any more dads have to resort to desperate acts in their plight of being separated from their children. These scrooge laws, he said, must change. It is no longer acceptable that when a relationship breaks down that the children are removed from their dads, their grandparents and other close family members. Anyone sitting at home with their loved ones will fail to see how how this self-employed dad can contribute in a meaningful way from a cell, which is, after all, a punishment for criminals, and not for dads who love their kids"

In a response to a recent RTE Primetime investigation on the comments made by Supreme court Justice Ronan Keane, "The absence of Fathers in many families is contributing to the rise of crime and lawlessness", Irish Times Journalist John Waters said that "Justice Keane was courageous to come out with his interview on Fathers but I wish it were sooner. The Irish Family law system foists Fatherlessness on an industrial basis and causes wholesale damage to families".

In an online survey conducted by dads-house, 86% of respondents said their children have had little or no access to their dads in the past 2 years, 62% said that their ex partner had repeatedly violated court orders with impunity and more than 74% saying that their ex partner engaged in tactics that alienated the children from their dads.

USFI and several other European Fathers Civil rights groups plan more protests throughout Ireland in 2004 to coincide with Ireland's presidency of the EU. Several legal strategic initiatives in Ireland and the EU are also planned by the groups.

Contacts:

Frank Duffy, 087 6527 300

Dave Whyte, Chairperson, 086 261 2400

Ray Kelly, Founder, 086 887 9444

email: [email protected]

source: www.dads-house.com

Vote: http://dads-house.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=121

Thursday 5 Feb 04, Mountjoy prison, Dublin, Ireland.

Tony Hamilton, the jailed Father of 2 children, aged 12 and 7, continues his hunger strike in Mountjoy prison today. Tony has been in jail since Monday 2 Feb 04 after a failed petition for Access violations by his estranged wife and was jailed for 60 days because he fell behind in his maintenance payments.

Photo: http://www.dads-house.com/data/freetony05jan04.jpg

Speaking on the Hook programme (Newstalk 106FM with George Hook) this week, USFI Chairperson, David Whyte said "This man is not a criminal but will have to serve the sixty days whilst actual criminals will be let out on the revolving door system." USFI have been holding a vigil outside the jail. Other groups across the country pledged support with members traveling from Limerick, Cork, Mayo and Kerry this weekend to support the protest outside Mountjoy.

John Lonergan, the Governor of Mountjoy was asked by the Hook in an interview how he felt about the protest. He said "he could understand why we were protesting, that Tony will be looked after, and he confirmed that he was on hunger strike." The Deputy Governor later confirmed with USFI "that all the prison staff supported the Campaign and Tony and the reason he had to shut the gates was to stop up to 20 prison wardens coming out to stand with the protestors." It later transpired that in an effort to have Tony come off the hunger strike, all privileges, including visitor access, have been removed.

When USFI requested the Minister for Justice "to release Tony forthwith", they were told "that they could not deal with the matter once a committal sentence was passed down and that they were inundated with calls from all over the country in relation to the matter"

His story is a typical one. Tony was not being paid by his customers and as a consequence fell behind with his maintenance payments. In court he offered a lump sum and then pay the rest over a short period of time to pay for the arrears. The Judge would not agree to this and told him that if he did not have the money he was going to prison for 60 days. There was a recess but Tony could not come up with full amount. Access violation by the Mother was also an issue. Tony's only access is on a Saturday. His daughters' communion falls this year on a Saturday, the Mother was denying him access on that day. The Judge fully concurred and in so doing was breaking another Judges court order.

"If your relationship breaks down in this country, and you are a man, your children are taken away from you" said Ray Kelly in an interview "Now, it seems that you get thrown in Jail, too. It makes no sense for Tony to be in Jail and we now urge the Judiciary to take a hard look at this family law system, which, as others before me have said, is depriving children of their Fathers on a wholesale and industrial basis. We would also ask them to take heed of the statement made by Supreme court Justice Keane that "Fatherless homes are to blame for crime" in a Sunday Tribune frontpage interview. See http://dads-house.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=77

Pat O' Donovan (spokesperson for USFI) spent several hours today with Tony and said afterwards in an interview "that Tony is totally distraught, fearing that his business will founder and feeling that his life has been wrecked. This man is not a criminal, he loves his children, he is sorry that he couldn't keep up his maintenance payments but is prepared and has offered to make amends."

USFI are grateful for the many phone calls from women's groups supporting the campaign to have him released.

USFI Contacts

Pat O' Donovan, Spokeperson, +353 87 935 7571

Dave Whyte, Chairperson, +353 86 261 2400 Ray Kelly, Founder, +353 86 887 9444

Frank Duffy (Mayo), +353 87 6527 300

This story and vote on the "Free Tony?" Poll:

http://dads-house.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=121

The Fathercare.org website has details of this important legal case which will be taken to the European Court of Justice under appropriate European Union laws. Fathercare.org has the info you need.

Several reports, not repeated on national TV news, indicated that many CAFCASS offices were the target of fake letter bombs. Here are some articles from local press and media :

http://w3.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/story.asp?StoryID=34410

Contact: [email protected]

City streets shut after delivery of suspect package Published on 14 August 2003

CAMBRIDGE streets and business were closed and evacuated by police today after a suspicious package was delivered to the county court building in Bridge Street.

The package was one of several which were delivered to legal offices in the region, including Luton and Peterborough, as part of a co-ordinated attempt to cause disruption.

Police were called at around 10am this morning but it is not believed the scene was attended by the bomb squad.

The incidents show all the hallmarks of a co-ordinated protest by militant fathers' rights groups which have been seen in Australia in recent months.

The groups are angry at civil court decisions which mean they are not given visiting rights to see their children after divorces.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_news/wales/north_east/3154795.stm

Bomb alert halts town

Streets in Wrexham were cordoned off

Wrexham town centre ground to a halt on Friday morning when bomb squad experts were called to a suspect package.

Grosvenor Road and Regent Street were cordoned off and local businesses evacuated as police investigated the bomb scare aimed at the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass).

Scotland Yard is investigating a series of suspect packages received at a number of addresses associated with the organisation throughout the UK during the course of Thursday and Friday.

It is not known who is behind the campaign or why.

The packages are being examined and at present none have proved dangerous

CAFCASS

Carcass represents the needs and interests of children and teenagers and is independent of the courts, social services, education and health authorities.

North Wales Police and the fire service were called to the Wrexham incident at around 0945 BST on Friday.

Traffic and shoppers were diverted away from the Cafcass building on Grosvenor Road.

Responsible

"The packages are being examined and at present none have proved dangerous," said a spokeswoman for Cafcass.

"Cafcass's priority at all times is to protect staff and the children and families that visit our offices.

"We have no information as to who is responsible.

"Cafcass is clear, however, that this is an unacceptable and criminal activity which puts our staff and the families and children who visit our offices at risk and, understandably causes them distress," she added.

Hats off to PC World

PC world and other outlets of The Dixon’s Group have a re-cycle bin for used printer cartridges. For every cartridge put in, they are donating �1 to charity. The good news is that the efforts of the UKMM over the past nine years on unequally health provision are now starting to get through.

The �1 is split four ways between Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke Prostrate and Breast Cancer.

It’s good to see men’s health charities getting an equal footing in this initiative from Dixon’s. Next time you have to get a new cartridge, why not do it at PC World or Dixons and ask to see the manager. Tell him that you appreciate their campaign, which is the first to treat men equally.

George McAulay, UKMM Chairman

Hayley and her dad on STV on Tuesday 22 Jan 2002 at 7:30 pm.

> Request for information OR comments :

>  I urgently need help.  My estranged wife has returned from East Africa having left my son 7 & daughter 3 with me for the last four months.   False allegations of sexual abuse, threats to kill.  Following the allegations of threats to kill I have been thrown out of my house.  I have a hopeless lawyer.   I need some good advice.  I am being violated at every level and have no idea how to stop it.  Please help.

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