F4J Closes 60 Courts

[FIRM]

Press Release
Monday 2nd August

Staff Stuck in 60 Courts Hit by Fathers Protests

Campaigners from Fathers 4 Justice (F4J) today said they have closed or
'locked out' at least 60 Family Courts across the UK this morning in a
widespread national action as part of it's response to the Government's
recent Green Paper on Family Law reform.

Some security staff in Courts are believed to have been in the buildings at
the time and are unable to get out.

The group say the 'low level' action is ongoing but will not give details
about other possible protests though it is understood that some Cafcass
offices have also been affected.

Up to 150 demonstrators have been involved and a series of roof top protests
are now understood to be underway in Manchester, Gloucester and on Cranes on
the site of the new Family Court buildings in Liverpool. More roof top
protests are also understood to be underway in different parts of the
country.

In London between 20-30 Courts and Cafcass offices have been affected.

Said an F4J Spokesman "Details are still sketchy but we understand that
fathers have commenced what we describe as a 'low level' action against the
Family Courts in order to disrupt the functioning of the legal system this
morning."

"This is the response of fathers to the Government's recent Green Paper."

"If anybody thinks that it is going to be business as usual in the Family
Courts, they are in for a rude awakening. We do not recognise the legitimacy
or authority of Family Courts that remove children from their fathers for no
good reason."

ENDS

//www.fathers-4-justice.org
 
 F4J - It's a Lock Out ! - Update

 Courts Closed
Monday 2nd August 2004
Latest News - Courts across UK closed

Dear Members, Supporters and Friends of F4J,

Today see the start or a national protest against the Governments Green
Paper. Fathers 4 Justice members across the UK have closed down courts and
scaled buildings to continue to highlight the failings of the Family Courts.

-UPDATE-

The 3 members from F4J Manchester branch who scaled Manchester Crown Courts
roof at 4am today have been forced down. Police stormed the trio at approx
7:15am, using force to get them down.

Our on the spot witness heard one Police officer shouting "Jump you bastard,
why are you wasting our time - PC 1364".

Members are now asked to meet at Bootle Street Police station where the
three are being detained. Please give these brave guys your support and lets
get them released early. There will also be a protest outside the courts
today to support the national daily protests.

Call the Custody Suite and ask why the following people are being detained:

- Mike Downes
- Simon Coverdale
- David Lord

Also ask why one Police officer was heard shouting at the lads to jump!

The direct number for the custody suite at Bootle Street station is:

0161 856 3129
Alternatively call the A- Division number 0161 872 5050

Other breaking news:

Superhero dads and for the 1st time catwomen climb up on cafcass offices in
Gloucester.

Other demos in Liverpool Manchester and Holland.

Court buildings locked up in many towns.

Come and support your local superhero dads.

Further upcoming protest..

March for justice

Liverpool to London starting Wed 4th August, further details on the N/E site notice board.

Myself and Steve 'shadow' Fletcher are attending the opening day of the march, there are 2 spare seats if anyone wants to come along, leaving Tues 3rd and returning Wed 4th August.

Email [email protected] for further travel details.

Regards

Toon

"HOWAY THE DADS"

[Brent]

How did your international TV broadcast go? How many people signed up or attended? I haven't heard a word about it, which makes me wonder how much of a flop it was.

I would think that if it was a success you'd have certainly mentioned it, but it sounds as though it sank like the proverbial stone and disappeared without a trace. Is that what happened?

[FIRM]

To answer your questions:

GREAT!

PLENTY TO TELL US THAT IT WILL BE A SUCCESS.

NO.

:)

So sorry, hypocritical, lying, twisting of words and content Brent...in a hurry...gotta go  (have to work on the FIRM TV...)    ;)

Eric

[Brent]

...intelligent. Relax, you weren't even close. :)

>PLENTY TO TELL US THAT IT WILL BE A SUCCESS.

So both of you showed up? Wow, sounds like a smashing success, lol.


>So sorry, hypocritical, lying, twisting of words and content
>Brent...in a hurry...gotta go  (have to work on the FIRM
>TV...)    ;)

Sure you do. And I've got to go fix the Hubble Space Telescope.


PS- Looks like your caps lock key is either stuck or in use by an idiot.  :)

[img src=http://www.deltabravo.net/test/keyboard4.jpg]
7/16ths of an inch- that's ALL IT TAKES.

[richiejay]

 Maybe I'm wrong but I didn't get that Brent was trying to be "honestly curious'.  I took it that he was blatantly being condescending....but who am I to judge?  And what exactly makes him evil?...oh yes, the fact that he was trying to hock a seminar on these boards for $25 and claim it  was fre...no, wait...that was you!  My mistake.

[Brent]

You know, I kind of like the name "Evil Brent", maybe I should register it. It would go well with my avatar, and it does have a snappy ring to it. It rolls off the tongue better than plain old "Brent" does, too.

I don't know. What say ye? "Brent" or "Evil Brent"?  Put one or the other in the subject line if you reply. :)

[Bolivar OH]

is my vote!

[FIRM]

Message: 1        
   Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 10:14:41 -0400
   From: "Nick Kovats"
Subject: THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS: "Costume drama as dads protest"

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/s/125/125711_costume_drama_as_dads_pr
otest.html

 

THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

Monday, 2nd August 2004

 

"Costume drama as dads protest"

 

By Nicola Dowling

 



VIGIL: One of the protesters

 

THREE campaigners for fathers' rights staged a rooftop protest at Manchester
Crown Court today dressed as comic book superheroes.

 

The trio - including a pair wearing Batman and Robin costumes - were spotted
on the roof of the building in Crown Square behind Deansgate in the city
centre about 6.30am.

 

Earlier they had unfurled a banner stating that they were protesting on
behalf of the Fathers 4 Justice group. They used a megaphone to broadcast
the sound of a siren and shout "Good Morning Manchester".

 

A spokesman for the group claimed the stunt was part of a wider protest
which saw others in London, Gloucester and Liverpool storming family courts
and trying to lock staff inside.

 

Response

 

A Fathers 4 Justice spokesman said: "Details are still sketchy but we
understand that fathers have commenced what we describe as a low-level
action against the family courts in order to disrupt the functioning of the
legal system this morning.

 

"This is the response of fathers to the government's recent Green Paper.

 

"We do not recognise the legitimacy or authority of family courts that
remove children from their fathers for no good reason."

 

Police said three men were arrested for causing a public nuisance just after
7am.

 

 

C Copyright 2004 GMG Regional Digital.

 

 

  _____  

From: Dave Ellison [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: August 2, 2004 4:55 AM
To: Dad4Justice
Subject: [f4jcanada] FW: F4J - It's a Lock Out ! - Update
Importance: Low

 



----------
From: "Admin F4J Manchester"
Organization: Fathers-4-Justice
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 09:23:17 +0100
To: "Info F4J Manchester"
Subject: F4J - It's a Lock Out ! - Update

 
Courts Closed
Monday 2nd August 2004
Latest News - Courts across UK closed


Dear Members, Supporters and Friends of F4J,

Today see the start or a national protest against the Governments Green
Paper. Fathers 4 Justice members across the UK have closed down courts and
scaled buildings to continue to highlight the failings of the Family Courts.

-UPDATE-

The 3 members from F4J Manchester branch who scaled Manchester Crown Courts
roof at 4am today have been forced down. Police stormed the trio at approx
7:15am, using force to get them down.

Our on the spot witness heard one Police officer shouting "Jump you bastard,
why are you wasting our time - PC 1364".

Members are now asked to meet at Bootle Street Police station where the
three are being detained. Please give these brave guys your support and lets
get them released early. There will also be a protest outside the courts
today to support the national daily protests.

Call the Custody Suite and ask why the following people are being detained:

- Mike Downes
- Simon Coverdale
- David Lord

Also ask why one Police officer was heard shouting at the lads to jump!

The direct number for the custody suite at Bootle Street station is:

0161 856 3129
Alternatively call the A- Division number 0161 872 5050



Other breaking news:

Superhero dads and for the 1st time catwomen climb up on cafcass offices in
Gloucester.

Other demos in Liverpool Manchester and Holland.

Court buildings locked up in many towns.

Come and support your local superhero dads.



 

From: Dave Ellison [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: August 2, 2004 5:11 AM
To: Dad4Justice
Subject: [f4jcanada] FW: Press Release: 60 Courts Hit by Fathers Protests

 

World lists:

In addition to buildings in the UK taking part in the new game "It's a
Lock-out", news is coming in that several buildings in the Netherlands (
Holland ) have joined in.

I understand that one doorway may have been bricked up in the process!

----------
From: Matthew O'Connor
Date: Mon, 02 Aug 2004 07:15:20 +0100
To: National Press 5
Subject: Press Release: 60 Courts Hit by Fathers Protests


Press Release
Monday 2nd August


60 Courts Hit by Fathers Protests


Campaigners from Fathers 4 Justice (F4J) today said they have closed or
'locked out' at least 60 Family Courts across the UK this morning in a
widespread national action as part of it's response to the Government's
recent Green Paper on Family Law reform.

Some security staff in Courts are believed to have been in the buildings at
the time and are unable to get out.

The group say the 'low level' action is ongoing but will not give details
about other possible protests though it is understood that some Cafcass
offices have also been affected.

Up to 150 demonstrators have been involved and a series of roof top protests
are now understood to be underway in Manchester, Gloucester and on Cranes on
the site of the new Family Court buildings in Liverpool. More roof top
protests are also understood to be underway in different parts of the
country.

In London between 20-30 Courts and Cafcass offices have been affected.

Said an F4J Spokesman "Details are still sketchy but we understand that
fathers have commenced what we describe as a 'low level' action against the
Family Courts in order to disrupt the functioning of the legal system this
morning."

"This is the response of fathers to the Government's recent Green Paper."

"If anybody thinks that it is going to be business as usual in the Family
Courts, they are in for a rude awakening. We do not recognise the legitimacy
or authority of Family Courts that remove children from their fathers for no
good reason."

ENDS

Subject: NL locations

These are the locations - all are Kinderbescherming (which performs the role
of CAFCASS in the Netherlands. They advise the family courts, and are
notoriously anti-father).

Alkmaar: Wilhelminalaan 1, 1815 JC Alkmaar (complete, with F4J flyer stuck
to doors)

Almelo: Bellavistastraat 3, 7604 AD Almelo (awaiting photo & more info than
"it is now closed..")

Amsterdam:  IJsbaanpad 2, 1076 CV Amsterdam (incomplete, but with F4J flyer
stuck to the door)

Middelburg: Buitenruststraat 4, 4337 EH Middelburg (with purple flag -
awaiting photo, but could very well be a brick wall with flag on it!)

Rotterdam: Noordsingel 117, 3035 EM Rotterdam (complete, with F4J flyer
stuck to main door)

--

Other breaking news:

Superhero dads and for the 1st time catwomen climb up on cafcass offices in
Gloucester.

Other demos in Liverpool Manchester and Holland.

Court buildings locked up in many towns.

Come and support your local superhero dads.



 

From: Dave Ellison [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: August 2, 2004 5:37 AM
To: Dad4Justice
Subject: [f4jcanada] FW: [fathers4justice] Portsmouth Court closed

 

Lists:

You've heard of 'Bank Holidays'?

I guess the UK is starting a new trend of 'Court Holidays'! Family Court
employees and their associates.

----------
From: tremendouspaul
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 05:09:04 EDT
To: fathers4justice
Subject: [fathers4justice] Portsmouth Court closed


Just popped out shopping and happened to notice a large crowd of people
stuck outside Portsmouth Court building.

Appears the doors have been sealed up with quick drying cement or something.


On talking to a solicitor outside the courts, Cafcass in Portsmouth and
Southampton have also been done over plus 6 solicitors practices.

Tremendously Paul


 

From: Dave Ellison [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: August 2, 2004 9:24 AM
To: Dad4Justice
Subject: [f4jcanada] ROOF PROTEST FOR JUSTICE

 

World lists:

http://tinyurl.com/69roe

Write a letter to the editor

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?command=newPage
Id=138511> &nodeId=138511


THIS IS GLOUCESTERSHIRE

14:00 - 02 August 2004

 
"ROOF PROTEST FOR JUSTICE"

Continued from page one the group's purple flag on the street below
alongside fellow members.


He said the offices of CFAS, in London Road, had been chosen for the protest
- the group had also chained the gates to make sure no one could get in -
because that was where the family interviews were conducted prior to the
ruling.
The group also chained the doors of the Family Court building in the Docks
"so no one can get in".
Mr Pyke said: "What we are saying is we are being denied access to our
children so we are going to deny access to people who make these terrible
decisions."
A team of police officers stood watch nearby. But Sergeant Lee Weaver said
they were simply going to ride out the protest.

[FIRM]

http://www.utvlive.com/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=48777&pt=n>

Unionist support for fathers group

Fathers campaigning for the rights to see their children following a family
separation tonight received support for their campaign from Stormont.
By:Press Association
However they were told by one Assembly member their cause would not helped
by protests which breached national security. Ulster Unionist Esmond Birnie
and Democratic Unionist Mark Robinson pledged their support for the campaign
group, Fathers-4-Justice at a meeting in Belfast. However Mr Birnie said:
"As Ulster Unionists we have some reservations concerning some of the
tactics employed by Fathers-4-Justice. "To take one example, we do not think
that the case of estranged fathers was served by breaching the security of
Parliament in the context of the threat posed by international terrorism.
"Such acts, we believe, undermine rather than advance the cause for which
Fathers-4-Justice stands." In May, Fathers-4-Justice sparked a major review
of security in the Houses of Parliament when protesters threw a purple flour
bomb which hit Tony Blair during Prime Minister`s Questions. The pressure
group has staged protests across the UK to highlight their call for family
law reform. Last month, two men dressed as superheroes climbed onto the roof
of Worcester County Court. Protesting fathers have also scaled the Tower
Bridge in London, including one in a Spiderman outfit. South Belfast DUP
Assembly member Mark Robinson told members of the pressure group the
Government needed to address the need for a family justice system which took
into account the rights of fathers. "Unfortunately a feature of society
today is that marriages and relationships break down," he lamented.
"However, we must not lose sight of the fact that the breakdown of a
relationship in which children are involved can have far-reaching and
devastating consequences for the family unit. "The number of divorces
granted in Northern Ireland has gradually been on the increase, and
statistics for the year 2002 show that there were 2,034 children under the
age of 16 who were affected by divorce. "It is also a sad fact that within
two years of divorce a substantial number of children lose all contact with
their non-custodial parent, usually their father. "I must therefore commend
the work of "Fathers for Justice" who are campaigning on the basis of equal
parenting rights. " UUP Assembly member Esmond Birnie said it was in
society`s ineterest that the bond between parent and child was allowed to
continue. "Countless studies have shown that children benefit from a
relationship with both their parents," he said. "It should be the aim of
family courts to ensure that this is the case wherever possible."

STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 3RD AUGUST 2004

'Northern Ireland Parties Unite behind Fathers' Campaign'

The UK's largest equal parenting group Fathers 4 Justice (F4J) has announced
that all Northern Ireland's major political parties will meet today in
Belfast to show their support for the Fathers 4 Justice campaign. It is also
expected that representatives of the parties will sign declarations calling
for the to be a legal presumption of shared parenting. Said F4J Northern
Ireland Coordinator Russell Leecocke, "It is humbling to see our political
representatives support our call for children to be brought up by both
parents should the parents separate." F4J Founder Matt O'Connor, who will
chair the meeting, said "It is a
measure of the importance of our campaign that broader political differences
in Northern Ireland have been put aside for the sake of our children.""This
meeting shows that the political parties of Northern Ireland are putting
children first. We are very grateful to everyone for their efforts in making
3rd August 2004 an historic day for the children of
Northern Ireland. Perhaps now politicians in London will make a similarly
bold step."
The meeting will take place at 7pm on Tuesday 3rd August, at the Lansdowne
Courts Hotel, Antrim Road, Belfast and will be open to representatives of th
e media.

ENDS

Fathers 4 Justice is the World's largest equal parenting group with over
10,000 registered supporters in the UK and branches in Australia, Canada and
Holland. The group hope to launch in the US this Autumn.

//www.fathers-4-justice.org

[richiejay]

 
>Fathers 4 Justice is the World's largest equal parenting group
>with over
>10,000 registered supporters in the UK and branches in
>Australia, Canada and
>Holland. The group hope to launch in the US this Autumn.

Inititiation fee $25.