Fathers dress like Santa for parenting protest

[Brent]

Fathers dress like Santa for parenting protest

JOHN INNES


HUNDREDS of protesters for fathers' rights dressed in Father Christmas outfits went on the march yesterday to raise awareness about parenting.

The Fathers 4 Justice campaigners marched through central London calling on the government to amend legislation so that fathers can obtain equal rights to see their children.

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The protest group, which was formed a year ago, said yesterday that the government and Margaret Hodge, the children's minister, had failed to reform a flawed family law system.

The group's founder, Matthew O'Connor, 36, said yesterday's protest had begun as their Christmas party but had evolved into a mission to spread the word about fathers' rights.

He said one in four children would not see their fathers this Christmas because of court orders disadvantaging male parents.

He said: "What we are saying to the government and the minister is that they must change the law in this country. We need to support all the ordinary fathers out there. We are not going to let this issue be ignored."

The protesters, some of whom brought along their children, chanted "Two parents are better than one" and "Children need two parents" as they marched through the streets.  

http://www.news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1393822003