Court room evacuated in F4J protest. 13 June 2008

Dozens of employees were evacuated from a family court when Fathers 4
Justice campaigners stormed the building and a fire alarm was set off.

The protest, which began as a street demonstration, was joined by two
Westcountry campaigners who had scaled the roof of deputy Labour
leader Harriet Harman's home in Herne Hill, south London, earlier
this week.

Jolly Stanesby, from Ivybridge, South Devon, and Mark Harris, from
Plympton, were among about 30 banner-waving protesters dressed as
various superheroes during the action calling for fathers' rights at
Bristol County Court yesterday.



A dozen protesters dressed as Spiderman, Batman, Superman and The
Incredibles forced their way into the court and chanted "What do we
want? Justice. When do we want it? Now!"

A fire alarm was activated, although court staff could not confirm
who was responsible, and nearly 100 staff flooded into the street
outside.

Mr Stanesby said: "We always have a little get-together before
Father's Day to put our message across."

After the courts were stormed, two police vans arrived, along with
two fire engines, and the protesters left the building to continue
their march. Fathers 4 Justice is a civil rights group which
campaigns for parental equality and a father's right to see his
children.

Mr Stanesby added: "Just because my ex decided to move on...
shouldn't mean I don't get to see my child."

He said he and Mr Harris, who have been bailed by police since their
rooftop protest, had written to Ms Harman to request a meeting with
her.

"She's minister for justice and minister for women - how can those
two things go together?"

Mr Harris said opening family courts to the public was one of the
focal points of the Fathers 4 Justice campaign. He said: "Open up the
courts so people can see the ridiculous decisions made against
fathers. I was once sent to prison for waving at my daughters."

The demonstrators later unveiled a new poster campaign featuring
superheroes.

Bristol County Court later released a statement, saying proceedings
were disrupted for around 30 minutes and business then resumed as
normal.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

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• fathers
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• bristol
• court
• HSBC
• job
• center
• jolly
• mark
• matt
• superman
• spiderman
• demo
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• heroes
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• stormed
• cox

[byteusa]

The song sucks... i'd rather hear the protesting...

[Cobiandad]

From about 5min 40 sec the song stops and you can hear Matt O'Connor and other speakers talking about fathers rights and this protest.

During the first 5min 40 secs you can hear the noise from the protest over the song. Sorry you don't like the song.

[majorbored12]

are fathers really treated that unfairly? no this is a serious question. my ex is a meth addict who could not provide clean drug tests and he still gets his son all weekend, even against the advice of child protection workers! If there are fathers that are not being treated fairly and they are good loving fathers i think that is really really messed up!! good for you for standing up for your children! its shouldn't be about sex, it should be about being a parent, and it should be about the child

[Cobiandad]

I 'm afraid fathers do seem to get the worst end of the stick, though I fully agree it is the children that matter. Thanks for your comment

[hawkeyes12345]

Children need their fathers!!!!

I'm a victim of the injustice in the court system - haven't seen my 21/2 and 3 year old boys for 2 years.

Let me know when you are going to do a demonstration in the Toronto, Canada area - I'll be there!

We need more men to do this - Great Work on this one!

[jpopenyoureyes]

right on

[4653219]

im giving up trying to get access to my little boy,after nearly 4yrs. facing bias,prejudice,and child abuse from my ex,cafcas,and judges,who only consider a mothers false and unfounded allegations against me,his loving father,while refusing to investigate his mother who abandoned her first child,who hung himself.

[GrimmMylene]

Thank you to fathers4justice, please keep on, keeping on. Don't ever stop!!!!!!!!!!!

[vada2000]

this needs done in richmond indiana. in richmond they believe even though the mother moves in with her meth dealer the children are better off with her than the father just because he moved out of town

[tommypdunn]

terrible what we are doing to dads i didnt get to have my pops now one of my sons has the same issue because i aint got the dough to fight for him

[themaniusedtob]

@majorbored12 they do have it that unfairly. for example if you prove to the court he is unfit and using meth he goes to jail and cant see his kid.. and thats VERY easy to do.. now reverse the roles please. if you was the meth aaddict and he proved it youd be sent to rehab and when you get better youd STILL get SOLE custody. you STILL wont get punished if you had a court order to let the father see the kid but choose not to. and youd NEVER be expected to work 3 jobs while loosing a license etc

[unclefixer]

Fire alarm set off.. court personel can't say who did it?? I think maybe its them. That is just my gut feeling. After all, the guilty dog always barks, and these dogs are barking. I think f4j turned up the heat and the terrorist can't stand it. could it be... something of a guilty conscious,they say even serial killers know deep down that what they are doing is wrong. May be even these thugs and criminal know that what they are doing is wrong. just maybe!!!

[kbinco]

Good to see us men are getting together. Let's rock it guys!!!

[tiball358]

this is a very real problem and running rabid in washington state. the senators i have talked to wont make issue of it. we need to petition these sitting judges. we need to hold liars accountable. ie false restraining orders. should equal real jail time! We need to restructure the family unit ideaology within the family court.

I am behind this all the way. i want to start a chapter here where i live.