PRESS RELEASE 27/3/06
Re-Born Fathers 4 Justice Launch 'Child Focused' Campaign
Fathers 4 Justice (F4J) announced yesterday on Radio 5 Live's 'Forgotten Fathers' programme that it's high profile campaign IS to continue despite the group formally disbanding in January following the alleged Leo Blair plot.
The announcement follows a series of behind the scenes talks and a high level meeting on Saturday where F4J management considered how best to secure and continue the progress already made.
The group has been inundated with requests from both supporters and the public to continue it's campaign.
Senior management reported increasing public concern about the absence of any credible alternative to F4J, and that the progress made over the last three years threatened to unravel and take the issue of children's rights back to pre F4J days.
F4J Founder Matt O'Connor formally handed over the reigns to the new team including Andrew Work, Guy Harrison and Brian Ross at a formal meeting in central London on Saturday.
O'Connor, who is working on the launch of his new political pressure group later this year, will continue to advise the group on PR and Media relations alongside Glen Poole.
Said O'Connor "I am delighted that there not only exists such commitment to carry our work forward, but that people better than me can take what I started and bring F4J to the next stage."
The organisation publicly known for its the Superhero stunts is now making the transition to a respectable voice for change, despite the group being the subject of a dirty tricks campaign designed to silence it.
A new parliamentary team headed by barrister Michael Cox will be meeting with government, church and family law institutions and is ready to work with them to achieve concrete reform in family law. Whilst F4J will retain the ability to carry out non-violent direct action, this is expected to be required only for exceptional circumstances as the group enters the next phase of the campaign.
"There is no place for extremists or extremism in F4J, we must lead by example and rise above the inherent injustice practised against our children behind the closed doors of the family courts", said Andrew Work today.
"The first phase of the campaign required Direct Action for the issue to be heard. The next phase requires concrete change, and that needs serious engagement and demonstrable results. Hundreds of thousands of children are denied the right to half of their family as a direct result of a failed family legal system, and the public clearly want it corrected as a matter of urgency. And most importantly our children deserve nothing less", he added.
F4J also announced on Saturday that it will soon be launching a charitable foundation to support children who were suffering from the loss of family as a consequence of family law injustice.
Glad to have you back!
I actually want to see my kids and have money to enjoy life so I am waiting for changes to be made in the family law system before I procreate.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Hujo | April 11, 2006 at 05:36 AM
Hey all!, well my news is great and offeres hope for fathers that have to esculate to high court of justice london.
After 14 years of contact problems, a move to germany and 2 marriages with 4 children, Mrs A applied for permanenet residence in South Africa. Cafcass made reports, statements went in and a finakl hearing scheduled for 2 day took part this week. The hgearing lasted 4 days and the result is she was refused safe guarding the fathers contact. Both fathers were elate and are celebrating!. Extra measures are being put in place to keep Mrs A`s passprts so she cant go against the Order. But she would be sill too anyhow because of the consequenses. She can appeal but loosing in excess of 9,000 pounds already is unlikely too!. This is a great day for fathers who want to keep contact with there children and I hope this story is enspiring to those who are struggling! the fight IS worth it!
Posted by: Mr M | May 12, 2006 at 04:31 PM
Great to see you back! And a brilliant stunt with the lottery show. Best wishes and hope you make a difference this time.
Posted by: Patrick Crooke | May 21, 2006 at 04:20 PM