TRANSPORTER BRIDGE PROTEST: Man arrested
4:39pm Wednesday 1st September 2010
A MAN was arrested this afternoon after a seven-hour protest on top of Newport's Transporter Bridge.
The 49-year-old London man, dressed as The Incredible Hulk, was led away by police after climbing down from the bridge at 3.20pm.
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Batman stages Protest at St Endellion
Whilst the Incredible Hulk was up on Newport Transporter Bridge, Cornish 'New Fathers 4 Justice' activists have targeted PM David Cameron at St Endellion as dads intensity the campaign of direct action across the country.
Unfortunately despite rumours that Mr Cameron was still in the area on paternity leave he was nowhere to be seen.
After holding a protest outside St Endellion church to bemused villagers and passing cars Batman moved on to the small village of Rock, near Padstow after a tip off.
St Endellion is a village on the north Cornish coast close to where the Cameron family had been holidaying when Mrs Cameron went into labour three weeks early.
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Father's bridge protest
4.28PM Wed Sep 1 2010
http://www.itv.com/wales/fathers-bridge-protest24648
Police have arrested a 49-year-old man after he climbed Newport's transporter bridge dressed as the incredible hulk. The man, believed to be from the London area, claimed to represent the campaign "New Fathers 4 Justice"
The bridge has now been re-opened.
A spokesperson for the group said they would continue to hold 'direct action' protests.
Calling himself Captain Equality, the group's spokesperson said: "We want the government to start really taking us seriously."
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Transporter Bridge protest continues
12:53pm Wednesday 1st September 201o
A MAN dressed as the Incredible Hulk remains on Newport's iconic Transporter Bridge today in a fathers' group protest.
The man, who has not been identified, scaled the bridge at 8am and unfurled a banner - but that became entangled in the workings of the bridge's gondola and it had to be closed for safety reasons.
The banner has since fallen onto a nearby road.
Police are appealing for the man, understood to be with a group calling themselves New Fathers For Justice, to climb down.
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Breaking News - A 'New Fathers 4 Justice' activist has Climbed Newport's Transporter bridge.
At 6.30 am this morning a New Fathers 4 Justice activist has Climbed Newport's Transporter bridge as dads intensity the campaign of direct action across the country.
Dressed as the Incredible Hulk Arch Ssan from Streatham London said from the top of the bridge' Were are very disappointed with the coalition government and the fact that they are dragging their heels over family law reform.
David Cameron is clearly besotted with the latest addition to the family, and called his new daughter a 'unbelievably beautiful girl'. Well Mr Cameron lucky you -I love my children as well but can't see them because I am being denied access'
'Nothing less than an automatic presumption of 50/50 child contact when partners split and compulsory mediation prior to going to the family court. Also, currently courts are highly biased towards the mother, and are able to get away with this as they are closed to the public. We want open transparent Family courts system brought into line with the crown and magistrates courts. This will prevent corruption, biasness and implement a culture of accountability with the judiciary.'
In short, we want dads to have an equal status....same as Mum and her latest boyfriend!!
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Cornish Activists Target Truro Railway Bridge
Cornish New Fathers 4 Justice activists have targeted a railway bridge near Truro as dads intensity the campaign of direct action across the country.
Nothing less than equality for fathers after family breakdown and a transparent family court system will do.
Their protests are aimed at Prime Minister David Cameron who has been recently holidaying in Cornwall.
More action has been promised and anyone wanting to get involved should contact cornwall@newfathers4justice.info
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Demo at Dudley CSA office
20th September 06:30 until 12:00
Child Support Agency (CSA) Pedmore House The Waterfront, Level Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands DY5 1XA
It is widely known that the CSA are completely unfair and unjust in the way they treat fathers and how easy it is for mothers to use their system to LEGALLY steal money from fathers who are denied contact with their Children for no good reason ! ! .... if you feel as strongly as I do please join me outside the CSA office for a LEGAL demo
Gary Roe, NF4J Coordinator
Contact admin@newfathers4justice.info for more details or to confirm your attendance.
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Breaking News - Press Release
Two 'New Fathers 4 Justice' activists made it into inside the Big Brother complex this evening.
Several other activists caused a distraction on the roundabout outside the main entrance to Elstree Studios dressed as Superheroes.
One activist entered the Big Brother house by impersonating a member of the BB security team by obtaining polo shits and clothing from security personnel. He is known to have made it inside the complex using codes and call signs for the various security positions throughout the facility before being stopped by security staff.
He is known to be Pete Luger, 34 a builder from Woking and was dressed a Captain Flash under his security uniform.
The whereabouts of the second activist is still unknown
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Rooftop jester demands justice for fathers
Roger Crawford, 61, from Meppershall, climbed the building in Witney dressed as a court jester, along with two others who posed as superheroes.
He hailed it a success and added that not being arrested was a bonus.
Mr Crawford has been a member of New Fathers 4 Justice since 2003 after experiencing first hand what he says is the ‘inequality’ for non resident parents and going through the ‘hell’ of family court.
The group aimed to publicise their cause on Monday and Mr Crawford says they have been trying to get Mr Cameron to meet with them to discuss the forthcoming review of the family courts.
He added: “At the moment, those who will be reviewing it are lawyers and judges so we are very sceptical.”
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New Fathers 4 Justice dad dressed as Incredible Hulk protests on PM David Cameron's roof
A protesting dad from Streatham has pledged to bring his battle to London, after targeting the Prime Minister’s office in Oxfordshire.
Archit Ssan clambered on to the roof of David Cameron’s constituency office in Whitney dressed as the Incredible Hulk, in a stunt organised by campaign group New Fathers 4 Justice, which claims fathers face discrimination and unfair treatment in court.
The 49-year-old and two other protestors unfurled a banner saying “give dads equal rights” during the protest on August 2, which saw them climb on to the roof at 6.30am and leave later that day.
He said: “I am doing what I can to raise this issue.
Using children when people’s relationships break down is gut-wrenchingly awful.”
Mr Ssan, of Grayscroft Road, joined the original Fathers 4 Justice when it was set up in 2003. He said its new offshoot was planning more protests in London soon.
'New Fathers 4 Justice' Activists At Cheltenham Racecourse
'New Fathers 4 Justice activists are at Cheltenham Racecourse this morning with a dummy of PM David Cameron
Iron Man Adrian Phelps and several other activists have there since 09:00 in their superheroes outfits.
Cheltenham Racecourse Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 4SH
David Cameron says it is important to "speak frankly so we say - "Don't be a dummy Mr Cameron give dads equal rights''
Welsh dad protests on Cameron’s roof
Aug 3 2010 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo
A DAD dressed as Superman climbed on to the Prime Minister’s constituency office roof yesterday, vowing to stay there for days.
Jeremy Pogue, from Cefn Hengoed, was one of three New Fathers For Justice protesters dressed as superheroes, who scaled David Cameron’s office with snacks and supplies, demanding equal rights for fathers.
Thames Valley Police officers were on stand-by on the ground in Witney, Oxfordshire, watching the protesters, who were stood precariously on a ledge on the sloping roof.
They unfurled banners which proclaimed “Give dads equality” and “A father is for life, not just conception”.
Talking from the rooftop Jeremy, 49, said: “David Cameron said he wanted to mend broken Britain and Iain Duncan Smith produced a report. The recommendations are in there.
“Give all parents equal rights and open up the family courts – these are all things we want to see done. Instead of acting, David Cameron is having another report written.
“We got up here early this morning at daybreak and have supplies to stay for several days.”
DADS' DEMO ON CAM ROOF
FATHERS 4 Justice protesters dressed as superheroes and scaled the roof of PM David Cameron's constituency office yesterday.
Roger Crawford, 61, Jeremy Pogue and Archit Ssan, both 49, pretended to be a court jester, Superman and The Incredible Hulk.
They took supplies of water, pies, pasties, chocolate and beer.
The group unfurled a banner which read: "Give Dads Equality."
They plan to stay on top of the building in Witney, Oxfordshire, for several days.
Supporters, some also dressed as superheroes cheered from the ground. One wore a David Cameron mask. Mr Cameron was not in his constituency at the time.
The protesters are from New Fathers 4 Justice which was formed when the original group was disbanded in 2008.
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New Fathers 4 Justice protest goes all the way to the top
NEW Fathers 4 Justice activists scaled the roof of David Cameron’s constituency office in Witney yesterday.
Shortly after 6.40am, three protesters climbed the building in High Street.
The group says its members will keep returning to the town until the Prime Minister meets their demands for equal rights for both parents.
They shouted through megaphones and put up a banner on the roof.
Activists included Roger Crawford, dressed as a court jester, Archit Ssan, as the Incredible Hulk, and Jeremy Pogue as Superman.
Mr Crawford, 61, of Bedfordshire, said: “We will do this until David Cameron deigns to speak to us.”
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Protestors scale David Cameron's office
Fathers' rights campaigners have spent nearly seven hours on the roof of David Cameron's constituency office in Oxfordshire.
The three 'New Fathers for Justice' members were dressed as Superman, the Hulk and a court jester.
They managed to scale the building in Witney, which is home to the West Oxfordshire Conservative Association, and is also David Cameron's constituency office, at about 7am this morning.
Heart's been told the campaigners won't be returning tomorrow, but haven't ruled out going back up at some point in the future.
The Prime Minister wasn't in Witney during the protests.
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Breaking News -Three New Fathers 4 Justice activists have targeted David Cameron's Constituency office in Witney and are on the roof NOW!!.
Activists Roger 'The Court Jester' Craword from Meppershall, Jeremy 'Superman' Pogue from Cefn Hengoed, and Archit 'The Hulk' Ssan from Croydon have enough supplies to stay on the roof for several days and wont come down until David Cameron talks to them.
David Cameron says it is important to "speak frankly" well so we will from the rooftops as he won't talk face to face.
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DADS' rights campaign group 'New Fathers 4 Justice' launched another publicity stunt in Sedgemoor.
After previously targeting the Willow Man, the M5 at North Petherton and Ian Liddel Grainger MP, the daredevil lobbyists this time have struck again along the M5 corridor, at North Petherton.
Those behind the high-profile stunts have daubed paint slogans on agricultural bales near Junction 24 of the M5.
This is to spread their message that family laws governing parental access to children need to be balanced to be fair to fathers.
A spokesman for the movement warned that more could follow over the next few months.
He spokesman said:" At least one million children in this country are being denied access to their parents or grandparents by the flawed family system that allows children to be exposed to a succession of mum's fleeting boyfriends, lovers and stepfathers with whom they have no biological connection, but gives no automatic rights of access to their real dads of grandparents."
"Dads only want the same right of access as mum's latest boyfriend."
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Double Gloucester or Oxford Blue?
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Spiderman scales a pub roof for justice
The 42-year-old was part of a battalion of dads who descended on David Cameron's Oxfordshire constituency on Saturday – all wearing super hero costumes.
After writing to Downing Street to arrange a meeting with the PM, their trip to Witney ended in disappointment due to David Cameron's continued engagements in America.
The group left a pint of the local Brakspear beer behind the bar at The New Inn for him to drink on his return.
"We wanted to leave our calling card," said the dad-of-one from Whaddon who asked not to be named to protect his child's identity.
His brief appearance on the pub's roof wearing a David Cameron mask was, he said, a way of raising awareness of the group's battle for equal rights for fathers.
"We know that The New Inn is David Cameron's local and that the landlord is involved in the local Conservative party and has the Prime Minister's ear," he said.
"The landlord wasn't too pleased when I first got on the roof, but he was all smiles by the time I came down. We didn't want to cause too much trouble."
Martin Cornish, landlord of The New Inn, said the protest was "peaceful".
"They were having a barbecue here and one of them decided to get up on the roof of the toilet block.
"It was very good natured and he wasn't up there for long.
"David Cameron was in the pub on election night but he wasn't even in the constituency over the weekend."
Mr Cornish confirmed that the pint of Brakspear remains behind the bar in preparation for the PM's next visit.
Adrian Phelps, from Cheltenham, was also part of the group who travelled to Witney.
The 24-year-old, who dressed as Iron Man, said it was "empowering" to spend a weekend with like-minded fathers.
New Fathers 4 Justice champions the cause of equal parenting, family law reform and equal contact for divorced parents with children.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said she was unable to comment on individual group's requests to meet with the Prime Minister.
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Fathers' pressure group doorstep PM's home
A pressure group campaigning for fathers to have equal access rights to their children after break-up or divorce met at the weekend in Witney in an attempt to convince residents to lobby David Cameron to change the law.
On Saturday, July 24, about 25 members of New Fathers 4 Justice met up on Wood Green, outside the Three Pigeons Inn, before taking their protest into Witney town centre. Dressed as comic book superhero characters, they toured the town with loudspeakers and horns demanding that the Prime Minister come out and met them to discuss their grievances.
Nigel Ace, the spokesperson for New Fathers 4 Justice, said: “The government is not giving fathers equal status in order to see their children after separation or divorce. Basically, if mothers stop contact, hundreds of thousands of dads each year are stopped from seeing their children. That can lead into protracted court cases that can go on for years. One of the people I came up with today has been fighting since 2004, another chap has not seen his daughter since she was one, and she has now turned 18.”
Witney Town Council had warned the group that camping on the public green in Woodstock Road would be breaking the law, but they threatened to disperse across the area and “cause mayhem” if they were stopped from camping. On Sunday the protestors, escorted by the police, went to the Prime Minister’s house in Dean in the morning and made declarations over a loudspeaker. It is not thought the PM was in at the time of the visit.
Samantha Haynes from Wootton, was one of a number of women who also attended the event, dubbed ‘Witney’s Glastonbury festival of Fatherhood’. Dressed as Wonder Woman, she said: “I’ve got four children, and I’m allowed one of them full-time, the other three I see 18 hours a year. So I’m a great believer in New Fathers 4 Justice and think we should have equal status, as two parents are better than one.”
Organiser Nigel Ace also leafleted the West Oxfordshire Conservative Association office at Waterloo House wearing a David Cameron mask, and said the protest could be organised on a monthly basis in the future
A New Fathers 4 Justice campaigner camped out in the Prime Minister's home town dressed as Iron Man to lobby for changes to the UK's family law.
Part-time stock room assistant Adrian Phelps, 24, joined scores of dads from across the country in David Cameron's constituency of Witney in Oxfordshire.
Iron Man rubbed shoulders with Superman, Batman and Captain America for an overnight camp and barbecue on Witney Green.
Adrian, a dad of two from Cheltenham, said he was taking part on behalf of dads fighting for the right to see their children on a regular basis.
He said: "It makes me feel like I'm doing something important. At the moment it feels like the only way fathers can get proper rights to see their kids is through a change in the law. We will keep on protesting until we get that change."
New Fathers 4 Justice champions the cause of equal parenting, family law reform and equal contact for divorced parents with children.
"At the moment courts generally give custody to whoever the child is living with, and in 98 per cent of times that person is the mother," said Adrian.
"We're not saying that every father is a good father. We are not trying to change the law to leave kids open. There has still got to be a safety protocol." Adrian has been an active member of New Fathers 4 Justice for 12 months.
Madcap stunts have been put on hold, he said, while the group initiates negotiations with the new coalition Government.
"However, if we have to start taking a tough stance we will," he said.
"I have six friends who are all fighting to see their kids. I'm doing this on their behalf.
"The hardest thing I have to do each week is say goodbye to my kids. I pretty much run my life around the days that I see them."
Activists Visit PM David Cameron's House in Dean
Video at
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=471746899017
Witney Camp.....Latest Photos
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Breaking News - Activist on PM's local pub roof The New Inn, Witney
No sign of David Cameron yet , but there's a pint of Brakspear beer left behind the bar for him!
CARRY ON CAMPING" DEMO
| Start Time: |
Saturday, 24 July 2010 at 14:00
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Sunday, 25 July 2010 at 12:00
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| Location: |
MEET AT THE THREE PIGEONS PUB ON WOODGREEN, WITNEY
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NEW FATHERS 4 JUSTICE are happy to announce our new demo...."CARRY ON CAMPING"
Postcode OX28 1DG
We will be holding a camp on Witney Green, where we met Henry Bellingham back in April.
We will be camping up on the green with a "free barbeque" cooked by Jeff "Gordon Ramsay" Skinner. (nicknamed for his Anglo Saxon English as opposed to his culinary skills) to all attendees and supporters.
We will set up camp from 14:00 on Saturday, July 24th.
We are going to have fun and let the good people in the Prime Ministers constituency know that we want equal rights for fathers who are trying to see their children.
We will be making plenty of noise and educating the Witney constituents that Mr. Cameron must give dads equal status to see their children after separation or divorce.
In the morning, we plan a good sausage and bacon breakfast and onward to the Prime Ministers house in Dean, Oxfordshire.
Please bring your:
1. TENTS
2. SUPERHERO COSTUMES
3.PURPLE FLAGS & BANNERS
4. CAMERON MASKS
Spread the word....that the NEW FATHERS 4 JUSTICE are going to see the PM...Around his house again!
Protest could be constituency problem for PM
MORE than 150 protesters could be camping on Witney’s residential area of Wood Green this weekend.
Dubbed the Glastonbury Festival of Fatherhood, this is sure to make an impact.
And if New Fathers for Justice is not permitted to protest peacefully, the group has vowed to take the fight to the rest of the area and “cause mayhem”.
This must be a tricky one for Witney Town Council, which has already said that camping on the public green is against its bylaws.
It has a responsibility to its residents first and foremost to protect them from an intrusion that a massive demonstration like this is sure to cause. However, is it the lesser evil than 150 people dispersed through West Oxfordshire, causing chaos that police may not be able to deal with separately. At least condensed in one area, the authorities have a degree of control.
Of course the simplest solution would be for Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron to meet the demands of New Fathers for Justice, and listen to the group’s point of view. After all, if this does become a constituency problem at the weekend, it may fall on Mr Cameron’s shoulders to do something to help the situation.
The Prime Minister promised his constituents that they would not be forgotten in his new role, so surely this is the time to make good his promises.
New Fathers for Justice has said that it will return again and again to Witney until they meet with the man himself, so surely this should be nipped in the bud before residents lives are disturbed on a regular basis.
As much as most people have sympathy for the campaign group’s cause, nobody wants their weekend to be disrupted by this.
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New Fathers 4 Justice targets Witney
CAMPAIGNING fathers have vowed to “cause mayhem” in Witney if they are not allowed to demonstrate peacefully.
In a protest, dubbed ‘Witney’s Glastonbury Festival of Fatherhood’, New Fathers 4 Justice plan to camp on Wood Green, in Woodstock Road, this weekend.
The group believes more than 150 protesters from similar organisations across the country will flock to the town on Saturday evening, before leaving the camp on Sunday to protest outside Prime Minister David Cameron’s house, in Dean.
Witney Town Council has already said camping on the public green would be breaking the law.
Co-ordinator Nigel Ace — known as Captain Equality — said: “It was going to be quite low key, but the authorities are kicking up a bit of a fuss about us camping on the green.
“It would be totally peaceful and clean. We will supply our own toilets and food, and will only be there overnight. We have told the council that if they stop us from camping there, we will disperse all over the countryside, in David Cameron’s constituency, and cause mayhem.We will go on bridges, cause havoc on the roads. Anything to cause outrage we will do to get ourselves noticed.”
Mr Ace, 42, from Bristol, has written to Mr Cameron, whose constituency is Witney, through his MP Liam Fox, inviting him to discuss the matter of equal status for fathers. He said that if the Prime Minister did not meet the group, they would keep coming back.
He said: “We will come back again if he doesn’t meet us this weekend. We will be back again and again, and the Witney constituents will be fobbed off with us.
“He can come and join us at the campsite. We will give him a free sausage and a burger, and we can have a nice discussion together out in the open. We have written to Mr Cameron, and there has been no response. So the only response we can give is to give pressure by coming to Witney.”
Downing Street could not confirm where Mr Cameron would be at the weekend for security reasons.
Mr Ace, who has a seven-year-old daughter, added: “We want children to have a balanced upbringing. It’s for fathers’ 50/50 status that will stop the majority of cases going to court. We want to give dads equality.”
Campaigner Samantha Haynes, from Wootton, will be at the protest dressed as Wonder Woman. She said: “I feel that fathers should have equal opportunities and I am going through the same as the majority of fathers.”
Sharon Groth, Witney Town Council’s clerk, confirmed that the police would be called if Wood Green became a campsite. She said: “We haven’t had a formal request for New Fathers 4 Justice to use the land. We have bylaws on Wood Green, which state we don’t allow people to camp there.
“So if people did approach us, we wouldn’t be able to give them permission, as we won’t go against our bylaws.
“Wood Green is a residential area, with no toilet facilities. So it’s not really an ideal place to camp in.”
Chief Inspector Geoff Robinson, of Thames Valley Police, said the force would facilitate lawful and peaceful protest. He said: “We have had a Fathers 4 Justice protest in Witney before, which passed without incident and with minimal disruption. The town council has been made aware of the protesters’ intention to camp on Wood Green, and we are expecting a small group of people to protest at the Prime Minister’s home nearby.
“Fathers 4 Justice is a national campaign, rather than a local issue, and we have continued to encourage NF4J to address concerns through the House of Commons, rather than locally at Mr Cameron’s private residence.
“Mr Cameron’s representatives have been made aware of the plans, and our resourcing and response will be proportionate to maintain order and protect property.”
New Fathers 4 Justice was formed in September 2008, in the wake of Fathers 4 Justice disbanding.
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The family courts, solicitors, CAFCASS, judges houses, cars, CSA, bus shelters, pub toilets, canteens, sports grounds or even spiteful mother's doors!!
Order now on 0750 481 2842
£10 per 100 stickers.
New McKenzie Friend Guidance
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The
Master of the Rolls and the President of the Family Division
have issued new guidance on McKenzie Friends in light of the
increase in litigants-in-person in all levels of the civil and
family courts.
The guidance is intended to remind courts and litigants of the principles set out in the authorities and supersedes the guidance contained in Practice Note (Family Courts: McKenzie Friends, 14 April 2008). The guidance sets out what a McKenzie Friend is permitted to do, for instance they may quietly give advice on any aspect of the conduct of the case but they may not address the court, make oral submissions or examine witnesses. It makes clear the situations in which the court could refuse to permit a litigant receiving the assistance of a McKenzie Friend. Examples of circumstances where this might arise include where the McKenzie Friend "is using the litigant as a puppet", "is directly or indirectly conducting the litigation" or the court is not satisfied that they "fully understand the duty of confidentiality". Litigants can enter into agreements to pay fees to McKenzie Friends for the provision of administrative assistance in or out of court, the guidance clarifies. However, such fees cannot be recovered from the opposing party. The guidance also cautions judges not to justify refusing the litigant assistance because a McKenzie Friend "belongs to an organisation that promotes a particular cause". |
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Activists' 'stunt' at MP's Office
Activists from New Fathers 4 Justice "redecorated" Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger's office in the town overnight - but the Conservative says there was no trace of a "poor publicity stunt".
New Fathers 4 Justice a group which is not associated with Fathers 4 Justice, were behind the stunt.
It claims they stuck stickers and left a package, suspected of containing children's clothes and purple paint, outside the office on Saturday night because the Tory MP "does not support equality for fathers after a family breakdown and an open, transparent family court system".
There could also be protests on Mr Liddell-Grainger's Williton or Lambeth homes".
In response, Mr Liddell-Grainger said: "They can threaten me all they want but I have no idea why they would do this - it's just a poor publicity stunt.
"It's news to me about my lack of support for fathers.
"If they want to speak to me and providing they're in my constituency, I will speak with them about their issues.
"In the past activists and protest groups have always come to speak to me, they shouldn't hide behind such attacks or threats."
A spokesman for the Northgate-based office said there was no sign of a package.
A New Fathers 4 Justice spokesman said: "I will not go into too much detail but the dad involved does not want to be identified.
"He has spoken to Mr Liddell-Grainger in one of his surgeries but was not happy with his response over the family courts among other matters."
The email continued to say the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition Government does not seem to want to tackle the problems of the family court system.
It also touched on the possible closure of Sedgemoor Magistrates' Court, which would "hide family court cases from the area" if it proceeds.
"Mothers and fathers should be treated the same after family breakdown."
Extracts from Bridgwater Times - July 8, 2010
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Batman confronts Clarke over fathers' legal rights
The dad, a member of the campaign group New Fathers 4 Justice, staged a demonstration outside the MP's home in West Bridgford, Nottingham.
Garry Roe, of Heanor, spoke to Mr Clarke while another father filmed the conversation.
Mr Roe, who attended the demonstration with his two-year-old daughter, Ruby, demanded equal rights for fathers and public and press access to family courts.
He said: "If it was a lot more open, people could see that the courts are biased towards the mothers.
"When things involving kids go to crown court or magistrates' court they are open, so why not the family courts?"
Mr Clarke responded by saying that fathers do have equal rights, and it is up for courts to decide what is in the interests of children.
He told Mr Roe: "Sometimes the judge or whoever is deciding, the registrar, has a good reason for depriving the father of access.
"Sometimes, the more usual problem is that there is a tremendous row between ex-partners. The law does not find that easy to sort out."
On access to family courts, Mr Clarke said: "I'm cautious about names and identities because, you know, there is a section of the press that just wants some good social scandal."
He added: "With the judges I'm beginning to encounter we are going to have to talk about what can be done without playing to the worst end of the red tops who just want to get scandals about the children's services."
Under the Family Proceedings Rules 1991, child cases involving residents, or contact orders in the High Court or county court must be heard in private unless the court otherwise directs.
Either side can apply for an open hearing or for judgement to be given in public.
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Dad response to MP's 'Wet Blanket' action on Family Law reform
Activist have once again visited the Alconbury home of Justice Minister Jonathon Djanogly. New Fathers 4 Justice feel that he is about as much use as a wet blanket on the issue of fathers rights and Family Law reform. In fact every coalition MP should now look to their rooftops as fathers feel betrayed.
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Dads Target Taunton CAFCASS
This evening dads have redecorated the CAFCASS National Complaints Managers office in Taunton.
Apparently a large amount of stickers have be placed across the front of the building
www.cafcass.gov.uk/PDF/Complaints%20leaflet%20for%20intranet.pdf
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Fathers' campaign group demands more transparent family courts
The dads, members of campaign group New Fathers 4 Justice, demonstrated outside Mr Clarke's home in West Bridgford on Saturday.
Garry Roe, from Heanor, dressed as Batman, spoke to Mr Clarke while another father filmed the conversation.
Mr Roe demanded equal rights for fathers and public and press access to family courts.
Mr Roe said: "If it was a lot more open people could see that the courts are biased towards the mothers."
Mr Clarke said that fathers did have equal rights, it was up for courts to decide what was in the interests of children.
"Sometimes the judge or whoever is deciding, the registrar, has a good reason for depriving the father of access.
"Sometimes, the more usual problem is that there is a tremendous row between ex-partners. The law does not find that easy to sort out."
Over access to family courts, Mr Clarke said: "I'm cautious about names and identities because, you know, there is a section of the press that just wants some good social scandal."
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "An independent Family Justice Review panel was launched earlier this year examining the family justice system to ensure it supports children and parents who need to use it as fully as possible."
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Fathers leave message on M5
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JUNE 26 2010, A
MILESTONE DAY IN THE F4J
CAMPAIGN
Today, a
decade into the Fathers'
rights campaign, a small
band of superhero
fathers door stepped the
new justice minister, MP
Ken Clarke, at his
Nottinghamshire home.
Ken Clarke met with the
superheroes and freely
ADMITTED what we all
know; the Family Courts
don't work!
So, what is this
Minister of Justice
going to do about it?
Nothing, if he and his
mates can avoid doing
anything.
BUT WHAT HE MUST DO;
Firstly,
Ken Clarke MUST open up
these institutions of
injustice and farce to
FULL public
accountability, with the
same protection of the
identification of the
parties that he affords
juvenile offenders in
the criminal courts and
victims of sexual abuse.
Minister of Justice Ken
Clarke can do this
within days if he has a
mind too.
Secondly, Parliament
MUST fine tune the
Children Act to give
fathers the same rights
as mothers new
boyfriends; that being,
unless you have done
something wrong to a
child, the automatic
right of regular (at
least weekly) contact
with your children,
ENFORCED WHERE
NECESSARY, JUST AS CSA
PAYMENTS ARE ENFORCED
UPON FATHERS.
All those years of
vilification in the
press of superhero
fathers fighting the
injustices of family
courts now proves
unjust; WE WERE RIGHT
ALL ALONG AND THE
GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS THAT.
Now is the time to
increase the campaign,
the protests, the
stunts, the arrests,
(and yes, even the
painting!) must be
intensified to bring
that change.
They have accepted we
were right all along, we
are nearly there, now we
want justice.
Mark Harris
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Dad's Confront Ken Clarke outside his Nottingham Home
'New Fathers 4 Justice' activists have confronted Justice Secretary Ken Clarke MP outside his West Bridgeford constituency home.
Mr Clarke admitted the 'Family Court system is in crisis' when questioned by activists
BBC Nottingham regional news were present at the time and footage is available.
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Glos Echo 22.06.10
Although we welcome more rights for non-resident parents and grandparents, nothing less than an automatic presumption of contact for fathers after family breakdown will suffice. The real story here is that fatherhood has been made redundant emotionally, financially and biologically by the previous Labour government. Fatherhood needs to be treated as a necessity, not a luxury, and we should all be concerned by the current state of fatherhood in this country
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg stated recently that "it is crazy" that millions of grandparents lose contact with their grandchildren after a family separation or divorce.We are looking at how to provide greater access rights to non-resident parents and grandparents when couples separate".
As loving fathers, you have no rights to see your children in law after separation. The courts will tell you that they are acting in the "child's best interests", but this is an unfounded claim.
There is not a shred of evidence to prove this because nobody has kept any records on the outcomes for children.
For years, groups like 'New Fathers 4 Justice' have valiantly waged a campaign of direct action for equal parenting using ridicule, satire and subversion against the establishment. They have faced arrest and imprisonment, and I have no doubt this will happen again unless they are given the equality that they deserve in the 21st century.
The catastrophic consequence of the sex wars is the harvest of bullets and blades which has seen children killing children on our streets, the highest rate of young offending in western Europe, the highest rate of teenage pregnancies and an abortion epidemic.
This insidious gender apartheid determines that the mother shall be the carer and the father shall pay. The Government has been happy for you to abandon your child - providing you pay. You're not a father, you're a cashpoint.
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Protest at Ken Clarke's House this Saturday
Saturday, 26
June 2010
Time:12:00 -
15:30
Location:
KEN CLARKE'
MP'S HOUSE
Street:173
MELTON ROAD
Town/City:
West
Bridgeford,
United
Kingdom
New Fathers
4 Justice
will be as
promised
applying
more
pressure to
the
coalition in
order to
gain change.
We want Ken
Clarke
(Secretary
of State for
Justice) to
make it an
immediate
priority to
"open" the
family
courts and
to address
the legal
services
commission
with regard
to funding
of "un-coperative"
Mothers who
prevent
contact for
no good
reason, and
OR use false
accusations,
while being
funded with
legal
aid.....(which
is taxpayers
money).
Since April,
New Fathers
4 Justice
have held
demonstrations
outside
David
Cameron's
Witney
constituency
house, David
Laws and
Jonthan
Djanogly.
Will be be
holding a
demo outside
his house
and camping
outside his
house.
This is the
last of the
camp/home
demos in the
run up to
the David
Cameron
"CARRY ON
CAMPING
DEMO" Witney
protest on
July 24th.
Please come
along and
bring your
superheroes
costumes.
If you want
to contact
us for more
details,
contact
local dad,
Gary Roe on
0798 3955
532.
All dads
will be in
their
customary
superhero
outfits.
New Fathers
4 Justice
will be
wanting Ken
Clarke to
meet us but
promise
alternative
action if he
fails to
meet us.
ENDS
For further
general
information...contact
Captain
Eqaulity on
0750 481
2842.
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Fathers Day
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MP’s home picketed by ‘desperate’ dads
Dressed in superhero costumes, members of New Fathers 4 Justice set up camp outside his home with purple tents and brought their ‘Batboat’ to use on a brook which runs past the MP’s house.
They targeted Mr Djanogly because he is Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice and the protesters believe he will play an important role in future family legislation.
A man calling himself
Captain Equality, part
of the group, said they
aimed to put their
message across to Mr
Djanogly in a civilised
manner.
“We are going to be right on his case because he has a key part in this,” he said. “If he fobs us off we will come back and it will not be so humorous next time.”
Captain Equality, who had a two-and-a-half year battle for access to his daughter, said: “It is what we would call a pilot demo in the run-up to the David Cameron demonstration in Witney next month.”
He said there would also be a demonstration at the home of Kenneth Clarke, Secretary of State for Justice, before they tackled the Prime Minister.
Captain Equality said: “What we are looking for is an automatic presumption of 50-50 status between parties after a divorce or separation. It doesn’t mean 50 per cent of the time, just that you can have as much time as you need.”
Protester Barry Gaynor,
44, from Peterborough,
said: “Every day we hear
from disgruntled dads
who are becoming more
militant with the lack
of contact with their
children.
“Daily, distressed fathers contact us in desperation about the abuse they are suffering at hands of the family court system.
“In the 21st century, fathers deserve equality when it comes to child contact and nothing less will suffice.”
He added: “It is only a matter of time before angry fathers try to climb rooftops, courts, bridges and landmarks again.
“We would rather be spending time with our children but feel we have no other option.”
Mr Djanogly has said that a review of legal aid and family law was taking place, which included a review of contact, and he hoped campaigners would be pleased with that.
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Fathers 4 Justice protest at crown court
A woman has chained herself to the door handle at Oxford Crown Court this morning.
Teresa Haynes, from Cumnor, said she was staging the protest in support of a relative.
The 35-year-old was dressed as Wonder Woman and holding a purple flag.
Security staff at the court have confiscated a loud hailer and called police.
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