Friday, 5 June 2009
at
15:28
|
0
comments
Posted by
SPIDER on the ROOF
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
at
15:15
|
0
comments
A BRISTOL judge hailed a "momentous day for the press" as family courts across the country were opened to the media for the very first time.
His Honour Judge Paul Barclay made the comments before the first open family case at Bristol Guildhall.
But campaign group New Fathers 4 Justice, an offshoot of the original campaign group for fathers' rights, threatened to "storm family court hearings" in the city unless they are made "completely open".
At the Guildhall yesterday, both parties in the child care case were asked if they objected to a Post reporter being present, before the hearing started with Judge Barclay reminding the court that "no reporting of any proceedings should in any way identify the child or any other lay persons in the case".
Although rules have been changed to allow reporters to attend many more family court hearings, reporting restrictions mean that it is very difficult for journalists to write a meaningful report of what they see and hear.
In addition, the new rules contain a number of provisions which will allow courts to exclude journalists.
At yesterday's hearing, ushers, clerks, lawyers and Judge Barclay were very accommodating – but it is ultimately up to individual courts and judges if they accept reporters.
The judge even called a hotline run by industry body The Newspaper Society to confirm that the Post reporter was a bona fide newsgatherer.
Ushers pointed the Post in the direction of courts allowing reporting, limited to just two yesterday – a private custody case, and a child care case.
The care case involved two foreign boys, aged one and two, whose mother had abandoned them.
There had been plans for the mother, who has mental health problems, to take her children back to their native country but she had gone missing.
The boys have since been in the care of Gloucestershire social services but there has been a delay in adoption proceedings. The case was adjourned until Friday.
Campaign groups said more still needs to be done to ensure that courts are totally open. Nigel Ace, Bristol co-ordinator of New Fathers 4 Justice, said: "Pressure from New F4J is building up regarding Jack Straw's 'open courts'. They are only being opened to selective media on selected cases. We want them to be 100 per cent open as per the crown and magistrates' courts."
Bristol City Council yesterday welcomed the new rules, and said it would help public understanding.
The spokeswoman said: "We welcome the move to allow reporters into family courts and hope that it will help improve general understanding of the role of social workers and the complexity of issues involving the care of children."
Campaign group Families Need Fathers (FNF) is disappointed at the new rules.
Spokesperson Jon Davies said: "Whileit is vital to protect the identities of the children we cannot understand why reporters will be forbidden to read court documents or judgements.
Posted by
SPIDER on the ROOF
Thursday, 12 March 2009
at
15:34
|
2
comments
New Fathers 4 Justice hold sympathy rally at theatre
New Fathers 4 Justice held a "sympathetic" rally in Bristol in praise of a new play by Mamma Mia! writer Catherine Johnson, which features two dads battling for access to their children.
Campaigners dressed as superheroes gathered outside the play, starring two fathers protesting on Bristol's Clifton Suspension Bridge. The work reprises F4J's real-life occupation of the landmark.
A group of 10 Batman, Spiderman and Mr Incredible lookalikes, spoke to theatre buffs on their way to see Suspension, which was staged at the Bristol Old Vic on Tuesday night.
The New F4J was set up by Nigel Ace and Mark Harris and other key members after the original fathers' rights organisation was closed by founder Matt O'Connor last September.
Johnson is a member of the theatre's board who began her career at the Old Vic and her latest play focuses on the pain caused by broken families.
Mr Ace, a 41-year-old sales manager, said it was "brilliant" that the play took inspiration from his movement and hoped that ticket holders would be moved by the themes.
The father of one said: "These are proper theatregoers so we are playing it low-key, sympathetic and melancholic.
"We are fully supportive of this play as it looks at the plight of fathers across the UK and was inspired by our demonstration on the bridge in 2004.
"We didn't want to go on the roof as that would give the wrong message. We are handing out leaflets and hope people will be moved by the play and want to find out more from us.
"Our message tonight is that we are a tragic comedy in a real-life play. In real life the reality is that divorce is ever-prevalent and children are likely to be involved."
Posted by
SPIDER on the ROOF
Friday, 7 November 2008
at
13:12
|
0
comments
Harriet Harman's trade unionist husband today spoke of the terror he felt when two fathers' rights campaigners climbed onto his house's roof dressed as comic book superheros.
Speaking at the protestors' trial, Jack Dromey said he thought Fathers4Justice campaigners Jonathan Stanesby and Mark Harris were burglars trying to break into his house.
Dromey, who is Labour Party Treasurer and husband of the Labour deputy leader, said the invasion of his home 'was a matter of alarm and continuing distress'.
Two Fathers 4 Justice campaigners at their rooftop protest at the home of Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman
The deputy leader of the Transport and General Workers' Union - who has himself taken part in numerous political protests - went on to criticise direct action on people's private homes as 'out of bounds'.
Jonathan 'Jolly' Stanesby, 43, and Mark Harris, 49, who are both from Devon, scaled Mrs Harman's three-storey home in south-east London on June 8 this year.
Harris was dressed as 'Cash Gordon' and Stanesby was wearing a Superman outfit, but called himself as 'Captain Conception'. Once on the roof the pair unveiled a banner reading: 'A father is for life; not just for conception'.
The protestors later claimed they had got onto the house by simply entering the garden through an unlocked gate and propping a ladder against the building's wall.
It is thought that Miss Harman was targeted because, in her previous role as Solicitor General, she was accused of not doing enough to open up access to the family courts.
Shock: Labour Party Treasurer Jack Dromey and wife Harriet Harman
Fathers' rights campaigners have also claimed that Mrs Harman has done nothing to support their cause, despite hinting that she supported their aims.
As a result of the protest, which started at 8.15am and lasted around six hours, Mrs Harman, 58, and her husband had to temporarily vacate their home.
Yesterday Mr Dromey, 60, related how, on the morning of the protest, he had been woken by loud thumping which he thought was made by burglars.
He told Westminster Magistrates Court: 'This was a heavy thumping just above me which led me to conclude to my horror that somebody was trying to break into our house.'
He added: 'I've lived in that house for 31 years. I love the house. We've brought our kids up in the house. We're proud of the house.
'Our home was invaded, that was a matter of alarm and continuing distress. It's an experience we would never wish to go through again.'
Mr Dromey said he could not condone the protesters' actions, saying: 'Nothing can ever justify invading someone's private home. Private homes and private lives are out of bounds.
'You should never, ever violate their personal privacy, their personal homes.'
Stanesby, a stonemason, and Harris, a driving instructor, have pleaded not guilty to a charge of harassment. Stanesby has also pleaded not guilty to a further charge of failing to follow a police officer's instructions. The trial continues.
Posted by
SPIDER on the ROOF
Friday, 19 September 2008
at
14:32
|
0
comments
Embryology protesters confronted
The protesters missed Ms Primarolo who had left her office
A man who fathered a child for a lesbian couple has confronted a group protesting over Dawn Primarolo's role in the Human Embryology and IVF Bill.
The break-away New Fathers 4 Justice group held their first protest march near her Bristol constituency office.
The group claim the health minister's support for the Bill signalled a dismissal of the need for a male role-model in a family.
A neighbour said he was proud to have provided sperm for lesbian friends.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said it "fully recognised the role fathers play in their children's lives".
'Parents valued'
She added: "In the current law as it stands, the law refers to the need for a father, and we are replacing this with the need for supportive parenting.
"Research evidence shows that it is quality parenting that counts, rather than gender.
"We are not doing away with fathers, we are valuing all parents."
Unfortunately for the 10-strong protest group, the health minister had left her office in Chessel Street 20 minutes before they arrived.
The noisy demonstration brought residents from their homes. Several angrily confronted the group.
One man, who did not want to be named, questioned the F4J's attitude and revealed he had been a sperm donor for two lesbian friends whose baby was born six months ago.
He told the protesters he was "very proud to have facilitated two mothers to have a child".
When the Embryology Bill was debated in May, Mrs Primarolo, in response to shadow health minister's Mark Simmonds demand for "male role models", said "that would create an additional hurdle" for lesbian couples and single women.
.
Posted by
SPIDER on the ROOF
Saturday, 13 September 2008
at
14:33
|
1 comments
PRESS RELEASE
NEW FATHERS 4 JUSTICE BRISTOL DEMO
SEPTEMBER 19TH AT 12:15
MEET AT WHITE HORSE PUB, 166 EAST STREET, BEDMINSTER, BRISTOL. BS3 3NB
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=357882&y=170908&z=0&sv=bs3%2B3nb&st=2&pc=bs3%2B3nb&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf
Last week, Fathers 4 Justice was closed down by its founder. Immediately after the closure, several key members of F4J have set up "New Fathers 4 Justice".
As our first demo, we shall be protesting outside the Labour MP, Dawn Primarolo Health Ministers office in Bristol.
The MP and the labour Government, were under scrutiny in May for pushing ahead with the Human Embryology and IVF bill. This was because the "need for a father" was controversially dismissed by Primarolo and the Labour Government.
When responding to Tory shadow Health Minister's Mark Simmonds demand for "male role models", Primarolo was quoted saying "that would create an additional hurdle" for lesbian couples and single women.
"It is the government's view that all parents accessing treatment would assume to be supportive parents unless there was evidence to the contrary," she said.
Nigel Ace, who will front the demonstration on Friday September 19 th, said " This stance by the Health Minister flies in the face of good, proper and traditional foundations of raising children. We want them to focus on getting real Dads in the family, not artificial ones!!"
Mr. Ace who was a recent roof top protester on Harriet Harman's roof will be joined by many "NEW F4J "supporters including Mark Harris, Tony Ashby and Jolly Stanesby, all of whom protested on Harman's roof also. "We urge Dads who are not seeing their kids to join us on our first New F4J demo, so they can meet Dads who are in the same boat" We need to give Dads a chance in society today and this will be the first of many by us". We are hear to change the law and attitudes towards Dads"
Contact
Nigel Ace
0789 508 8049
Posted by
SPIDER on the ROOF
Monday, 1 September 2008
at
00:29
|
0
comments
I am writing with reference to the article in August 21st edition "family lawyer joins firm".
I object to the portrayal by this family law firm of making themselves sound as if they are the rescuers of family and matrimonial breakdown. Being a member of Fathers 4 Justice and a recent protester on Harriet Harman's roof and having been through the family court system myself, I would like every reader to be aware that its the lawyers that are the only winners in family court cases.
I have spoken to judges, MP's, barristers and solicitors and they openly admit that the whole system is adversarial. Being adversarial therefore, causes delay, which in turn profits the lawyers and costs the parents more money and heartbreak.
The worst part of it, is that its the children that are the biggest losers. It is these lawyers that goad their clients into a protracted and long winded and in most cases, wholly unnecessary fight in the family courts. In my case, which compared to most Dads from F4J was mild, I fought for 2 1/2 years as a litigant in person. In the end, I was found out to be a loving, devoted Dad. It cost my Daughter 2 1/2 years of not being able to see her Dad and for that alone, the actions of these lawyers is reprehensible. Batman, who was with me on Harmans roof hasn't seen his kids for 8 years!!
I would also like to point out that the legal aid system needs re looking at, as it allows spiteful Mums, who wish to prevent contact, carry on with false accusation after another. Father 4 Justice promote " two parents are better than one". To the Government, we want the following 4 measures of reform:
WE WANT:
1. TO HAVE AN AUTOMATIC PRESUMPTION OF 50/50 CONTACT WHEN PARENTS SPLIT
2.OPEN COURTS, to be brought in line with the crown and magistrates courts.
3.COMPULSORY MEDIATION BEFORE THE COURT PROCESS,not after
4.ENFORCE COURT ORDERS. A 3 strikes and your're out policy would be a great detterent against uncooperative mothers. On the 3 rd strike , residence would be swopped to the father or from whoever has deliberately broken the court order.
Posted by
SPIDER on the ROOF
Thursday, 10 July 2008
at
13:33
|
A Father has been holding a roof-top protest at the London home of Labour Party deputy leader Harriet Harman.
Nigel Ace, from Swansea, was part of a two-man demonstration staged by campaign group Fathers 4 Justice at the property in Herne Hill yesterday.
Sales manager Mr Ace, aged 40, now lives in North Somerset, but was born in Gower and has a primary school age daughter, who still lives with her mother near Swansea.
Mr Ace, who took to the roof dressed as Spiderman, said he and his fellow protester, 42-year-old Tony Ashby from Leicester, who was dressed as Batman, were staging the protest following Ms Harman's recent promises over equality in the workforce.
Mr Ace said: "What about dads? We haven't got equality.
"The government is ignoring us and has a feminist agenda.
"We want Harriet Harman to come back here and engage in a debate with us and, if not, Gordon Brown should come.
"I am trained in survival, so I don't care how long we are up here."
It is the second protest at Ms Harman's south London home by members of Fathers 4 Justice in just over a month.
Officers from Scotland Yard were called to the home of the Minster for Women at 6.20am yesterday, where Mr Ace and Mr Ashby unfurled a banner on the roof declaring "Stop the war on dads".
The pair are said to have at least three days' supply of food and water.
According to Fathers 4 Justice, Mr Ace had regular contact with his daughter following the breakdown of his marriage until his former wife withdrew access, leading to a battle in the family courts which has lasted two-and-a-half years.
They say two expert reports concluded he was a loving father who posed no risk to his daughter, and that Mr Ace and his elderly parents just want to play a meaningful role in his daughter's life.
A spokesman for Fathers 4 Justice said: "In the way women campaigned for equal rights in the workplace, we want equal rights in the home and to our children.
"Our government and Harriet Harman are legally, morally obliged to deliver."
Two men who staged a similar protest on Ms Harman's home last month were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and causing a public nuisance, and were bailed by police until July 16 pending further inquiries.
Nigel Ace, from Swansea, was part of a two-man demonstration staged by campaign group Fathers 4 Justice at the property in Herne Hill yesterday.
Sales manager Mr Ace, aged 40, now lives in North Somerset, but was born in Gower and has a primary school age daughter, who still lives with her mother near Swansea.
Mr Ace, who took to the roof dressed as Spiderman, said he and his fellow protester, 42-year-old Tony Ashby from Leicester, who was dressed as Batman, were staging the protest following Ms Harman's recent promises over equality in the workforce.
Mr Ace said: "What about dads? We haven't got equality.
"The government is ignoring us and has a feminist agenda.
"We want Harriet Harman to come back here and engage in a debate with us and, if not, Gordon Brown should come.
"I am trained in survival, so I don't care how long we are up here."
It is the second protest at Ms Harman's south London home by members of Fathers 4 Justice in just over a month.
Officers from Scotland Yard were called to the home of the Minster for Women at 6.20am yesterday, where Mr Ace and Mr Ashby unfurled a banner on the roof declaring "Stop the war on dads".
The pair are said to have at least three days' supply of food and water.
According to Fathers 4 Justice, Mr Ace had regular contact with his daughter following the breakdown of his marriage until his former wife withdrew access, leading to a battle in the family courts which has lasted two-and-a-half years.
They say two expert reports concluded he was a loving father who posed no risk to his daughter, and that Mr Ace and his elderly parents just want to play a meaningful role in his daughter's life.
A spokesman for Fathers 4 Justice said: "In the way women campaigned for equal rights in the workplace, we want equal rights in the home and to our children.
"Our government and Harriet Harman are legally, morally obliged to deliver."
Two men who staged a similar protest on Ms Harman's home last month were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and causing a public nuisance, and were bailed by police until July 16 pending further inquiries.
Posted by
New Fathers 4 Justice
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
at
13:06
|
0
comments
Two Fathers 4 Justice protesters dressed as Spider-Man and Batman have scaled the roof of deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman's home.
The two men said they will not come down until the Government "takes them seriously".
The men said their names were Nigel Ace, 40, who was dressed as Spider-Man, and Tony Ashby, 42, in the Batman costume. They said they had enough food supplies to last for a week.
Mr Ace, who described himself as a sales manager from Bristol, said the stunt was provoked by Ms Harman's recent pledge to ensure equality in the workforce.
He said: "What about dads? We haven't got equality. The Government is ignoring us and has a feminist agenda. We want Harriet Harman to come back here and engage in a debate with us and, if not, then Gordon Brown should come. I am trained in survival, so I don't care how long we are up here."
Mr Ashby, who described himself as a painter and decorator from Leicester, said he had not seen his children for seven years.
He said: "We have been up here since 6am and we are in for the long haul. We don't want to cause trouble, we just want to get our message across."
The protest comes as Ms Harman is due to stand in for Gordon Brown in Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons while he attends the G8 summit in Japan. She left her home in Herne Hill, south London, at 7.45am and ignored the protesters, who draped a flag on her wall saying "Stop the war on dads".
The men said they had not been involved in any previous stunts and drew straws to decide who would stage the protest.
The demonstration is the second time in little over a month that Fathers 4 Justice has staged a protest at Ms Harman's home.
The two men said they will not come down until the Government "takes them seriously".
The men said their names were Nigel Ace, 40, who was dressed as Spider-Man, and Tony Ashby, 42, in the Batman costume. They said they had enough food supplies to last for a week.
Mr Ace, who described himself as a sales manager from Bristol, said the stunt was provoked by Ms Harman's recent pledge to ensure equality in the workforce.
He said: "What about dads? We haven't got equality. The Government is ignoring us and has a feminist agenda. We want Harriet Harman to come back here and engage in a debate with us and, if not, then Gordon Brown should come. I am trained in survival, so I don't care how long we are up here."
Mr Ashby, who described himself as a painter and decorator from Leicester, said he had not seen his children for seven years.
He said: "We have been up here since 6am and we are in for the long haul. We don't want to cause trouble, we just want to get our message across."
The protest comes as Ms Harman is due to stand in for Gordon Brown in Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons while he attends the G8 summit in Japan. She left her home in Herne Hill, south London, at 7.45am and ignored the protesters, who draped a flag on her wall saying "Stop the war on dads".
The men said they had not been involved in any previous stunts and drew straws to decide who would stage the protest.
The demonstration is the second time in little over a month that Fathers 4 Justice has staged a protest at Ms Harman's home.
Posted by
New Fathers 4 Justice
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
at
00:11
|
0
comments
DEDICATED TO OUR DARLING HARRIET!!!
SEE LETTER OF PROOF. NO ONE BELIEVES YOU!!!
Posted by
SPIDER on the ROOF
