---

08-27-08

 

Press release - Non Violent Direct Action in progress

For Immediate Release                             August 27, 2008 

Spiderman takes to the skies to support M483.
Despite recent arrests, F4J Everyday Superheroes will
continue to fight for equal parenting rights..
 
Spiderman climbs again!
Bayview Avenue SE of Bayview Village Mall, E of Sheppard Avenue, Toronto
 
If you're thinking for every one they take down, there seems to be another there to take his/her place, you're absolutely right.
F4J Fathers 4 Justice Canada is prepared to continue their campaign to keep their issue front and centre in politicians minds.
 
The need for equal parenting is seen in every aspect of our society, and the need is great and immediate.
 
In Toronto, a known Liberal stronghold for the past 10 years since the For the Sake of the Children report was released and Compas polls showed an 80% support rate for 'shared' parenting, the pressure may be intense.
 
"We want to know once and for all where the Liberals stand on equal parenting." The group claims that Stephane Dion was recently able to dodge these very important questions at a public event with Garth Turner in Oakville, thanks to some empty promises by a Turner staffer.
 
"This type of tuck tail and run tactic by politicians, any politician, is unacceptable and will be countered with what we do best, public exposure."
 
This action by F4J Fathers 4 Justice Canada marks the 4th high level action across the country in August, just a precursor and promise of the groups commitment, despite extreme police pressure, to continue their pressure tactics in a non-violent, direct manner.
 
The group recently had Batman and Robin pay a special tribute visit atop the Saskatchewan Legislature buildings.
 
"The Duo were able to escape unscathed and we hope the same is true for Spiderman today. We hope the police understand why we're here and know we are doing what we have to do for the sake of our children."
 
Contact: Kris Titus, National Coordinator, On Site 1-888-345-2262 ext. 704
 
PHOTO OPS: Spiderman with 30' banner Fathers 4 Justice support M483
LOCATION:
Crane kiddie corner to Chapter's Bayview Village Parking lot South side.
 
TIME:  Ongoing – began at approx. 6 am August 27, 2008
 
CONTACT: Nationally, Kris Titus 1-888-F4J Canada
( 1-888-345-2262 ) ext. 704
National Website for more information: www.f4jcanada.ca
National Action website: www.f4jcanada.com
 
-End

 

---

08-27-08

 

Press Release – Update re: Toronto Non Violent Direct Action held August 27, 2008 

 

 (Toronto:  August 27, 2008, 1:40 EST)

When the sun rose today, Spiderman was already on everyday superhero duty  high above the skies of Toronto  proclaiming the plea of everyday families to stop the persecution of Canadian families through injurious Divorce Laws by supporting Private Member Motion M-483 for Equal Parenting.

Spiderman’s  everyday superhero’s duty was interrupted at about 7:15 AM  by the presence of five squad cars and four fire-trucks. Ever mindful of peace and good order, Spiderman (a.k.a Darcy Nogueira, 34, 2 daughters ) agreed to descend peacefully, and together with Kris Titus, Action spokesperson and F4J National Coordinator, our superheroes were taken away to Division 33 by the authorities with media in attendance.

Information on pending charges, if any, is not complete at this point but Mischief to Property, Public Nuisance, and (get this!) Conspiracy were reportedly mentioned. It is not unusual for a Surety to be requested. Court appearance has not been determined, but is likely to be at 9:30 AM tomorrow (Thursday) at 1000 Finch West in Toronto. Every superhero has a chink in their armour. Police have been advised of Ms. Titus’s asthmatic condition to keep her in top form.

Court appearance has not been determined, but is likely to be at 9:30 AM tomorrow(Thursday) at 1000 Finch West in Toronto . F4J members and Family Rights supporters in the Greater Toronto area have been a to attend at court as a sign of solidarity.

Before embarking on today’s action, Ms. Titus stated: “Today’s action is one part of a national campaign to raise public awareness in support of M-483 Equal Parenting motion scheduled for First reading October 7. These actions are all the more important with an imminent election call. Every Canadian has been touched directly through family experience or that of  friends by our socially destructive approach to family law; hence, every Canadian  deserves to know where the political parties stand on this issue.” The comments were made in reference to the NDP, Liberal, and BQ parties that have been unwilling to date to articulate their views on this fundamental issue of family policy. The Conservative Party articulated their support in their 2005 Policy Platform; Green Party leadership has ostensibly embraced equal parenting in 2007, but has yet to make this an official stance at last report.

Today’s action continues the series of recent direct actions:

·         August 8 – Following repeated refusals over several months by Mr. Jack Layton to answer telephone calls and mail regarding equal parenting, superheroes  Spiderman and Plywoodman drop by on the roof of Mr. Layton’s Toronto NDP constituency office with a “No Dad’s Party” banner accompanied by local F4J Coordinator, Denis Van Decker. Toronto Emergency Task Force (ETF) is dispatched under full media coverage to arrest all three seemingly for expressing an interest in national politics. The protest action has a salubrious effect on Mr. Layton who subsequently gushed forth nationally with emails aplenty explaining the NDP position is  “No Damn Position”, as one everyday superhero quipped.

·         August 18 – Moody Park, New Westminster BC:  To inaugurate the F4J Barney-Mobile Cross Country Crusade for Equal Parenting, superheroes BC Hulk, Metropolis Superman, Spider man, Wonder Woman, and the Burnaby posed with the F4J Banner, performed the official ribbon cutting ceremony, and afterwards took time to play with the children in the park. BC Hulk scaled a 160 ft crane to inaugurate the Barney-Mobile Cross Country Crusade for Equal Parenting.

·         August 23 – BC Hulk scales 160 ft crane in West Vancouver and unfurls banner in support of Equal Parenting. Beautiful weather allows the Hulkster  a marvellous photo op for supporters below.

·         August 24 –Regina: Burnaby Batman and Robin QC undertake commemorative scaling of the Saskatchewan Legislative in memory of a departed “superhero” member.  Our superheroes made their way to the top of the structure, put their banner out and then waved to the people down below. Many people took this opportunity to take some pictures and wave to the dynamic duo. Media showed up on the scene and filmed our heroes at work. Our heroes then departed peacefully on to other duties.

In the meantime, the Barney-Mobile is continuing its eastward tour stopping at cities and town en route to greet families, children, and supporters while handing out pre-addressed postcards asking the Prime Minister to actively get behind Equal Parenting. The Barney Mobile is headed for Central Canada, the Maritimes, and Newfoundland before heading back to Parliament Hill in time  for the scheduled First reading of Private Members Motion M-483, which to date has been seconded by 17 MPs.

In a historic first for Canada, the Government of the North West Territories unanimously passed an equal parenting motion (with abstentions) in June.

Supporters and the media often inquire why F4J Fathers For Justice has adopted a superhero theme for its international non-violent protest activities. Just as families dress in costumes to take their children trick-or-treating, F4J chose to adopt a family-friendly non-confrontational protest motif on behalf of Canadians  seeking more treats than tricks from politicians.
 
On  behalf of Kris Titus
National Coordinator
F4J Canada
CONTACT: Nationally, Kris Titus 1-888-F4J Canada
( 1-888-345-2262 ) ext. 704
National Website for more information: www.f4jcanada.ca
National Action website: www.f4jcanada.com
 
M-483 — April 11, 2008 — Mr. Vellacott (Saskatoon—Wanuskewin) — That, in the opinion of the House, the government should propose amendments to the Divorce Act so that law and practice ensure due process protection of rights and equality of parents, and to ensure that children benefit from equal parenting from both their mother and their father, after separation or divorce.M-483 — 11 avril 2008 — M. Vellacott (Saskatoon—Wanuskewin) — Que, de l'avis de la Chambre, le gouvernement devrait modifier la Loi sur le divorce pour que le droit et l’usage assurent la protection des droits et de l’égalité des parents par l’application régulière de la loi et pour que les enfants jouissent de l’égalité des responsabilités de la mère et du père après une séparation ou un divorce.

 Aug 27, 2008 Toronto Action- Spiderman on Crane
 

---

 

09-2-08

 

 

Police nab Fathers 4 Justice Wonder Woman after arresting Spiderman in Toronto.
 
After a non-violent direct action by F4J Fathers 4 Justice Canada in Toronto, ON, on Wednesday, August 27th, police arrested not only Spiderman but the groups Wonder Woman and National Coordinator, Kris Titus.
 
Darcy Noguiera aka Spiderman, 34, has been charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, common nuisance, mischief over $5000, break and enter as well as lesser charges after climbing a 200 ft tower crane in North York to hang a banner in support of a federal motion for equal parenting rights after divorce.
 
Although the crown was unsuccessful in quashing Mr. Nogueira's right to 'peacefully protest' his bail conditions prohibit him from his freedom of association with any member of the organization, and his bail was set at $7500.
 
These conditions are not unlike the conditions that have been placed on other members of the organization during a recent 'non violent direct action' on NDP Leader Jack Layton's constituency office.
Conditions placed on those members include prohibiting participating in 'any' protest, prohibiting freedom of association with members of Fathers 4 Justice and bails set at $10,000.
 
Kris Titus, National Coordinator, 35 has been charged with the same offences as Norgueira.
 
" It appears as though I was intentionally arrested after the media left," says Titus.
 
At her first bail hearing, the crown attempted to have Ms. Titus placed under 24 hour supervision and asked that she not be allowed to associate with any member of the organization she has been National Coordinator of for several years and residency with her surety, despite the fact she has equal parenting of her two sons and a common law spouse of 10 years.
 
Ms. Titus and legal counsel decided it was best to stand down the matter and hold her bail hearing the next day. "the abuses I saw while in custody mirror those being committed every day in our family law courts. Abuse of power while protecting the 'appearance of justice' and under the color of the law. I got to see first hand one of the effects of children not being raised by two parents and we are more determined than ever to see this through and ensure the issue of equal parenting is addressed."
 
Titus was released Friday afternoon with lighter conditions.
 
Hal Legere, Vice President of Fathers 4 Justice says, "the unreasonable conditions being put on our members, pre-trial, are a blatant attempt to muzzle dissenting voices on a contoversaial issue which the governments of Canada and the Provinces refuse to deal with in a fair, equitable and constitutional manner."
 
The organizations 5 activists in Toronto now facing charges are being represented by Walter Fox who has practiced law for 40+ years and his assistant Sayeh Hassan. 416-363-9238
 
"In my opinion", says Titus, "they are trying to criminalize our organization. Obviously we've pushed somebody's buttons and they want to shut our organization down. Our non violent direct actions cause no more harm to the public than those of labor unions and other civil rights organizations."
 
The group is still committed to seeing that the rights of parents and children are protected after divorce.
 
Contact: Kris Titus, National Coordinator, 1-888-345-2262 ext. 704
National Website for more informationabout the organization: www.f4jcanada.ca
National Action website with recent footage: http://www.f4jcanada.com/OntarioPages/F4J_Canada_Ontario_Spiderman_In_Action.html
 
-End