Parent Chooses Jail Over Losing Loving Relationship with Son

John Murtari, father to Domenic, and founder of A Kid's Right plans on reporting to the Jamesville Correctional Facility Monday afternoon to serve a 6-month sentence for failure to pay child support. Murtari says it has cost him more than the amount owed ($60,000) just to remain a part of his son's life after his ex was allowed to move Domenic across the country.

Take a look at these photos of their 6-week summer visitation time and ask yourselves,

"Aren't some things parents contribute to their children's lives worth more than cash?"

and

"Shouldn't parents have the right to decide how to support their children as long as they support them?"

And while you're at it, ask yourselves,

"Is it right for a judge to allow one parent to move a child away from the other parent when that parent is loving, fit, and actively involved in the child's life?"

and

"If they do allow move-aways, shouldn't travel expenses be taken into account when determining child support?"

I still remember Laura Bush proclaiming the importance of fathers to their children last year. I wonder if she has any clue how many loving parents are forced out of their children's lives by the current state of family law.

Read more here

Murtari Plans Non-Cooperation as Non-Violent Peaceful Protest

From Murtari:

• Tomorrow I'll tell the system:
  
• "No, I won't answer any processing questions."
  
• "No, I won't walk with you or go where you say - you'll have to drag me."
  
• "No, I won't eat your food or drink your water - you'll have to keep me hydrated via IV, and feed me via tube."
  
• "No, I'm not doing this to protest jail conditions or the treatment of prisoners. I'm doing this because I do not belong here and an unjust system sent me here."
  
• "No, nothing you can do will change this until I am released from jail and have my freedom again."
  
• "No, I don't want to hurt myself."
  
• "Yes, I will talk with you and treat you with courtesy and respect."
  
• "Yes, I will tell you how very, very much I love my son."
  
• "Yes, I'm doing this because I should not be a prisoner. I should not be in jail. My most basic rights are being violated."
  
• "Yes, I wish to make myself a burden if I'm kept a prisoner."
  
• "Yes, I know this will make your job a burden. I'm sorry. But I'm not the reason this is happening. The system isn't working....basic family rights are not protected"

For more photos and videos click HERE.

Taking It To The Airwaves

Fellow female family rights advocate Judi Smith-Phelps of Fathers4Justice-USA appeared on the Joel Riley Show on Radio 610WTVN (MP3 694KB) July 26. According to F4J-USA coordinator John Fowler:

"What was supposed to be a 10 minute interview followed by 20 minutes of listener 'call ins' turned into a two hour marathon with all lines lit up for the entire time!"

He added that every caller was supportive. Approximately 85% of people polled support equal child custody. (This is just one of several polls worldwide with similar results.)

If you haven't seen it yet, don't miss F4J-USA's recent television promo.

To join the women and men of F4J-USA contact Judi at judi.smithphelps@oh.f4j.us