You just can't keep good Superheroes down!

When Matt O'Connor, founder of the original Fathers4Justice, put away his schemes, banners, and loyalities, he must have forgotten about the passion that drives fathers to don Superhero costumes and risk life, limb and liberty. Did he really think these hurting, frustrated fathers would suddenly be satisfied staying quietly out of the limelight? It was, after all, O'Connor himself who showed them how these protests and demos were getting media and government attention. It was that fact, and the hope that went with it, that drew so many to his campaign. Men denied their children for years started thinking they might someday be reunited. It is that passion that keeps them donning capes and risking their own lives for the lives of their children, and they don't need O'Connor's permission to do that.

People who once proudly proclaimed their membership to F4J are now reorganizing (Real F4J and F.A.R.T. are examples) and many feel a burden has finally been lifted. More than once we've heard of unrest among F4J members and skepticism about O'Connor's leadership abilities. It's even been reported that O'Connor himself sabotaged a protest because he hadn't planned every detail, then slandered the organizer. This is just one of many complaints I've heard. At some point you start to wonder - is his cause fathers and children, or is it Matt O'Connor himself?

So now the world knows about the movie and book deals. Funny how the facts keep changing. We were told by O'Connor that there was a 2-year battle to win the rights. We were also told the deal was just recently signed. I have an email from O'Connor himself from last summer telling me that Disney had already signed. Yet now we're hearing conflicting reports that both Disney and another company have signed. What exactly is the truth, Matt?

I'm concerned about the movie. I'll be thrilled if it ends up an accurate portrayal of these fathers' injustices, but I don't have faith it will. O'Connor is proud to say the movie isn't about Fathers4Justice, it's about him. I understand he feels betrayed by those who opened unsanctioned branches, and feels angry due to things said about him. Hurtful things have been said and done by many, including O'Connor. I can only pray the bad feelings subside to the point he decides to help the cause, not hurt it.

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F.A.R.T Causes a Stink
(Fathers Against Rough Treatment)

Tony Sykes (dressed as Robin), a father denied his three children for 2 years, and a 16-year-old boy denied his father for many years, climbed up on the rooftop of the Epsom County Courthouse Tuesday to protest:

...the abuse perpetrated on Children by the Family Courts in this country and against the corrupt system, operated by the government SS, CAFCASS, and their child psychologist cohorts, who are not properly qualified, wrongly given the title, ‘expert,’ or ‘professional,’ who continue to violate the role of parent, (mostly Fathers), to be estranged from their children, for no good reason...

In a press release announcing this protest it states:

The Legal Aid system is one of the biggest gravy-trains in the UK and the tax-payer foots the bill to the tine of £1.2 billion per year. This £1.2 billion is just in the Family Courts alone.

And it goes on:

The 16 year old youth has not seen his Dad for years and cannot understand why the Courts do not allow him contact with his Dad. He remembers his dad is good man and has never done anything to warrant the rough treatment in the Corrupt UK Courts.

The young man was able to get away without incident. Mr. Sykes was assisted in his descent with a cherry-picker after 5 1/2 hours on the rooftop.

For more information about Fathers Against Rough Treatment (F.A.R.T) write to fathersagainstroughtreatment@hotmail.co.uk

Photos are posted here, here, and here.

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