The
Fatherhood
Coalition
Massachusetts Locations for Statewide Protest
The Fatherhood Coalition |
Massachusetts Locations for Statewide Protest |
On June 5th the largest international protest in the history of the profamily human rights movement is taking place, with Massachussets citizens joining together in NINE locations that day.
The event is sponsored by The American Coalition for Fathers and Children (ACFC) http://www.acfc.org/bridges.htm, and in Massachusetts an ad-hoc Coalition for Shared Parenting is rallying citizens to get their representatives to pass bill S-813 regarding Shared Parenting.
WE NEED THE SUPPORT OF ALL CITIZENS WHO CARE ABOUT REVERSING THE ABUSE OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN IN OUR COURTS |
Worcester, MA protest at the Belmont St. bridge, next to UMASS med center over Rt. 290. The rally for shared parenting begins at 7:30, when members will hand out flyers to motorists and hang a banner over 290, and then we'll march 1/3 mile to the Family Court to call on local reps to support bill S-813. Contact Walter S Skold 508-529-6136 skold7@juno.com for more. (Park on West side of bridge in church parking lots and walk back across bridge)
Dedham, MA Meet at 8:30 at the Dedham Probate and Family Court. Contact: Earl Henry Sholley (508)699-0432. Earl will hold vigil until 5:30 pm so if you can't come in the morning, come later.
Concord, MA protest at the Concord prison on RT 2 west of RT 128 and east of RT 495 at the Concord rotary in front of the Concord prison from 7 to 9 am. Parking/shuttles will be arranged. We are very concerned about safety and expect that protesters in all cases will keep traffic safety as a primary concern. Contact Peter Van Oudenaren 978 448 9340 peter@ebsnetinc.com for more.
Springfield, MA protest at the Hampden Division Hall of Justice from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Directions: Springfield is just south of the I-90 and I-91 crossing in Western Massachusetts on I-91 along the Connecticutt River just five minutes north of the CT border. Our protest will be adjacent the Court House on State Street up to the corner of State and East Columbus. From I-91 going in either direction, just exit downtown or Spfld. Center. You'll run in to the intersection of State and E. Columbus. See you there! Contact Mike Franco; 1-413-533-6597 or 1-413-295-DADS, or via e-mail at mv-franco@juno.com
Lawrence, MA at the RT 110 bridge over 495 off of Exit 46 from 6 to 8am. Peter Conrad and Michelle will hold a banner before moving to the Lawrence Court around 8am. Jim Marques will assist looking to cover the Rt 93 bridge if he can get volunteers. Contact Jim Marques 978 659 9354
jtmarques@mmm.com (Essex Probate and Family Court 2 Appleton Street)Boston MA at the Suffolk Probate and Family Court, near City Hall, at 24 New Chardon Street. Men and women will meet at 7:30 to distribute flyers and speak with representatives of the Boston media. Contact Howard Wizenberg
hwizenberg@HOME.COM 617-364-0124Foxboro, MA Meet at Mechanic St. Bridge over 95. Parking at north side of Hwy at Shaws. Contact David Brown Phone: 508-698-3552 City: Foxboro E-mail: tqcbrown@msn.com Fax: 508-698-3552 http://communities.msn.com/DadsaMadMan
Mansfield, MA: Darren McCarthy Phone: 508-337-6542
Andover, MA tmurray396@mediaone.net
The Massachusetts Coalition for Shared Parenting is an ad-hoc league of citizens and groups who are calling on the Massachusetts Legislature to pass Senate bill S-813. (http://www.fatherhoodcoalition.org/cpf/legislation/2000/S813_shared_parenting.htm)
Currently, the Coalition is comprised of DADD (Dads Vs. Divorce Discrimination), the Second Wives Crusade, and the Fatherhood Coalition, plus many individuals who belong to other fine groups in the state.
Coalition
of Parental Rights Groups Gathers for Shared Parenting
CPF June 3 News Release on Bridges' rallies across the state
Men
Rally for Shared Parenting
By Chris Echegaray, Telegram & Gazette
Staff, Wednesday, June 6, 2001
Fatherhood
Coalition Rallies To Protest Court Bias
Lawyers Weekly, June 8, 2001
Deadbolted
Dads
From divorced fathers, a plea for time with kids
Marilyn Gardner, The Christian Science Monitor, June 8, 2001
Fatherhood
Coalition Rallies at Park Square to Protest Court Bias
D.R. Bahlman, Berkshire Eagle Staff, June 7,
2001
Fathers’
Group Protests in Dedham
Shawn Michael Smith, (Dedham) TownOnline, June 6,
2001
CPF/The Fatherhood Coalition Shared Parenting/S813 Page
From: Jim LaBrosse <JMLaBrosse@AOL.COM>
Subject: Worcester Protest
To: FATHERS-L@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM
Just returned from the bridge protest in Worcester. Thanks to Lance, Mark, Walter, Larry, Joe, Jim and (I think I'm forgetting someone) for making the guy from Rhode Island feel welcome.
Our message was warmly received by numerous commuters and pedestrians. We did have one woman (attorney?) ask us if we thought two homes were good for children, but her cowardice compelled her to make the comment as she walked by us and into the courthouse. I did manage to loudly reply that she could visit my children who have adapted quite well to two homes. Of course if she had had the courage to stand and discuss the matter, I would have told her that the current single-parent arrangement is a recognized failure. Oh, well, one idiot per protest isn't too bad.
We also had coverage by a local newspaper photographer and reporter. Additionally, one TV station covered us at the courthouse. I'm sure Walter will E-mail more details. I feel good.
Jim
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From: Mike Franco <mv-franco@JUNO.COM>
Subject: Re: Worcester Protest
To: FATHERS-L@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM
You Worcester folks did well.... Here in Springfield we had about 15 people out to support the protest this morning. Lots of support and recognition from the general public. We gave out all our pamphlets and handouts on request... with great ease.... just like issuing restraining orders.
At our event last night in Court Square we had about 10 people and media (Channel 22) coverage. They ran our story at 11 pm and again in this morning's news. Someone also told me the Rock 102 FM morning show with Bax & O'Brien "slammed" Judge Lyons for her misconduct.
Tomorrow afternoon we'll have our first Berkshire County rally in Park Square, Pittsfield from 4:30-6:30 pm. Then we'll have our usual meeting at BMC from 7-9 pm. I'll be leaving Holyoke about 3-3:30 if anyone would like to come with me.
Tis' the season for FATHERS, CHILDREN & MEN advocacy.... Let's crawl out of our efficiency one-room apartments and soak up some sun and fresh air!
Mike
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From: Earl Henry Sholley <sholley@bigplanet.com>
Subject: National Court Protest
To: FATHERS-L@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM
Thanks to all those folks who came to the ACFC/CPF Protest at the Dedham Probate and Family Court. We were(I was) there all day from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Special thanks to Steve, John, Jim, Bill, Daren, Diane, Emma, Richard B., Murray, Greg, Richard H., and Dan.
There was an extra bonus with the Welleseley Doctor case going on at the Superior Court across the street. TV cameras were rolling. We may have gotten on some of the background stuff. Press releases and a CPF brochure went to Channels 4, 5, 7 and Court TV. We were actually interviewed by the Christian Science Monitor. The photographer took about 4 dozen shots. Check out the Thursday Edition. We were also interviewed by the Dedham Daily Transcript( now the Neponset Valley Daily). The reporter, Shawn Smith is an old friend who gave us great press about 1.5 years ago when we did a little street theater with the 'grim reaper'(great performance by Harry Stewart and Richard Hilly) at the same court. He interviewed me twice today. He is a believer in the rightness of our cause. He even called the SJC and Senator Jacques Office about the egregious Jacques-Cohen Law. I enjoyed it. Also, lots of pictures. Should be in tomorrow's paper.
By the way, I met the presiding judge of the Doc's Murder Case. Shawn spotted him leaving on his bike. I introduced myself, and I mentioned the Court Protest. He said "I know, I was watching you and all the signs. I just mind my own business." By the way, Judge Chernov thinks the trial will last for awhile.
All in all, it was a very successful day. We got a lot of horns, thumbs up, and encouragement. We handed out a fair number of brochures, and we had quite a few inquiries. There was a lot of traffic on Court Street. One of the ACFC guys wants to join the coalition, and he is willing to start a Worcester Chapter.
As Mike Franco says, Tis the Season. This is the start of our Summer Offensive. Let's keep up the heat, maintain the pressure, and push the envelope. We are slowly winning the public opinion war!
For the Kids' Sake, Earl Henry Sholley
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