From murtarij at yahoo.com Sat Feb 6 16:53:48 2010 From: murtarij at yahoo.com (John Murtari) Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 13:53:48 -0800 (PST) Subject: Murtari arrest details & why life in jail? Message-ID: <345683.66435.qm@web112411.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Good People & People of Faith, This message has a few more details on my arrest last Wednesday (Jan. 27) and some thoughts on being in jail.? It was written on Feb. 3rd and mailed from the jail.? Hopefully you'll see it during the weekend! Sorry for the delay.? I had to wait to get some writing material.? I usually try to call, but they don't make it easy or cheap.? I could complain about a lot of things in jail.? What do you think about that? Ever thought about "Prisoner Rights," don't they deserve to be treated with dignity, respect & compassion? You probably haven't thought about it much.? Most of you have never been in jail -- why should you even care?? Who has time? Oh, this is supposed to be about "Family Rights."? Do we see the analogy?? The way you feel about "Prisoner Rights" is how a lot of people feel about "Family Rights."? They don't understand, haven't been through it, and they rely on first impression & bias -- because it hasn't happened to them!? The same with segregation -- how do we change people's feelings?? NonViolent Action, http://www.AKidsRight.Org/civil.htm. Trespassing/Chalk Arrest Details --------------------------------------- Last Wednesday (Jan. 27) I decided to move my chalk writing from the County Courthouse to an older, adjacent building that used to be the Courthouse. There was a County Board of Supervisors meeting that morning and I planned to leave a message on the wall and then quietly picket on the sidewalk.? A lot of people usually attend the meetings. I had written about half of my "MR. OAKS -- HELP FAMILY RIGHTS" message when someone yelled, "stop what you're doing!"? I was surprised to see it was the Wayne County Sheriff, Mr. Barry Virts.? He also attends the meetings. He approached me, told me he respected the goal of my message, but that I couldn't write on the building -- walking around would be okay. I explained to him that I had done this before, that it wasn't a problem, and that I'd be happy to clean it up after the meeting was over.? I told him I would continue and he went into the building. I finished the writing and started my quiet picket.? Just saying hello to people as they arrived and holding my small placard with pictures of parents & children.? For more background/photos see: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/familyrights, http://www.twitter.com/akidsright. After the meeting started I was approached by a Sheriff's Deputy.? He told me I couldn't walk outside the building and if I didn't leave he would arrest me for trespass.? He said it was County property & I didn't have a valid reason to be there. I told him it was public property and I was there to petition my Assemblyman, Mr. Oaks, for reform.? He told me I should go to his office.? When I refused to leave he put the handcuffs on me and arrested me for trespass. While I was sitting in his Patrol Car they added charges for "making graffiti" and carrying "graffiti instruments" -- chalk.? I was arraigned by Lyons Village Justice Forgione and he set a $1000.00 cash bail. My next Court date is Wednesday, Feb. 10, in Lyons at 0830, anyone is welcome to attend.? The prisoners sit in front, so if you give me a nod, I'll be able to see you. You are welcome to write me at the jail.? I always send a reply to any letter -- it's nice to hear from people.? Please also include your return address in your letter.? My assigned Counsel, Mr. Andrew Correia, is hopeful I should be released on the 10th. Your greatest help would be to contact these officials.? Let them know you care.? Many Thanks! You can contact Assemblyman Oaks by: website: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=128 email: oaksr at assembly.state.ny.us phone: 315-946-5166 write: Assemblyman Robert Oaks, 10 Leach Road, Lyons, NY 14489 You are also welcome to call/write these officials: * DA Richard Healey , Hall of Justice, Suite 202, Lyons, NY 14489 (Phone: 315-946-5905 / Fax: 315-946-5911) * Village Justice Nicholas Forgione, 79 William St., Lyons, NY 14489 (Phone: 315-946-4565) I always appreciate letters, my jail address: John Murtari, P.O. Box 477, Lyons, NY 14489 Thoughts on Jail ---------------- This is just my 7th day in jail.? It's noisy, cold, hard to sleep, not a lot of privacy -- and I'm constipated!? But you get used to it. Why should I volunteer for this?? Why would I ask other parents to join me in similar efforts -- because history says it works.? I've seen it work in changing the attitudes of people who haven't been through it! Remember seeing this prayer: "Almighty and ever living God hear our prayer for justice and give me the courage & faith needed to meet the challenges of reform.? Help all people recognize the Right of Parents to be secure & treated equally in their opportunity to love their children.? Inspire us with your divine love, not only for our children, but for all our brothers & sisters." Anger or some desire to make a "screaming statement" won't help you once you get here.? You've got to have faith and the love to want to help others and accept the personal sacrifice.? I barely get through it at times and don't feel I'm strong in faith and certainly not the courageous type. But I've always loved my family and tried to carry myself with dignity.? After what happened in Family Court, my self respect & the pain I watched my son go through pushed me towards NonViolent Action. As Group Coordinator I can't call on people to take actions I haven't done myself; also, it would be great to see a positive political step happen as a result.? That would certainly get others involved & actions by groups of parents would be very effective. It is not about them.? Change is within our grasp -- we just need the courage & faith to take action. ?-- John Murtari ____________________________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ From murtarij at yahoo.com Mon Feb 8 21:32:37 2010 From: murtarij at yahoo.com (John Murtari) Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 18:32:37 -0800 (PST) Subject: Murtari released from jail early - thanks for your efforts! Message-ID: <66129.23473.qm@web112405.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Good People & People of Faith, A brief message to say I was released from jail at about 4:30 today! It was a nice surprise when one of the guards said, "Murtari, pack it up. You're going home. The Judge is releasing you!" I took a quick 'exit' photo as I was leaving the jail and posted it on twitter, http://twitter.com/akidsright I'd expected to wait until my next Court date, Wednesday (Feb 10). My thanks to all of you that called/wrote officials on my behalf; you really made a difference and I am very happy to be at home right now. I'll be catching up with your email and you can expect a more complete message later in the week with the results of my Court appearance. Right now, I do plan on resuming my Chalk writing campaign next Tuesday, Feb 16. Your participation and support is very welcome. A guard told me there was a front page story on my activity in one of the local papers. I'm tracking down a copy now and will try to make it available. More background: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/family_rights Again, many, many thanks to you! Also, my thanks to God for answering some of my prayers and yours. We are making progress. --------- John Murtari _________________________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ From murtarij at yahoo.com Fri Feb 12 10:47:26 2010 From: murtarij at yahoo.com (John Murtari) Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:47:26 -0800 (PST) Subject: Meet Mr. Oaks on Family Rights (Feb 17)/ What's NOPE & Your FEEDBACK Message-ID: <161091.79691.qm@web112405.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Good People & People of Faith, This message has info on: 1. Meet NY Assemblyman Oaks in person - Feb 17 (newspaper story) 2. New parent's group - NOPE 3. Your FEEDBACK - To chalk or not to chalk, that's the question? 4. Your FEEDBACK - on reform in general. 1. Meet NY Assemblyman Oaks in person - Feb 17 (newspaper story) ------------------------------------------------------------- I'm happy to say we are making some progress: My two weeks in jail, your calls and letters, and a nice front page story in a local paper have helped sensitize Mr. Oaks to Family Rights. http://www.AKidsRight.org/family_rights/start_story.htm Now, I encourage you to join me at a face-to-face meeting to occur with the Assemblyman on Feb 17th, 1:30 PM, at the Town Hall, 43 Phelps St, Lyons, NY (click below for map) http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=43+phelps+st,+lyons,+ny&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=43+Phelps+St,+Lyons,+Wayne,+New+York+14489&gl=us&ei=I1h0S4XmA9Gm8AakqsnHCg&ved=0CAgQ8gEwAA&ll=43.068543,-76.988711&spn=0.052858,0.065575&z=14 If you think you can make it, please let me know and I can give you more details (jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org/315-944-0999,x-211). We'll plan on having lunch together at about 12 at a local diner so people can get to know each other. It would be great to meet some of you in person. This is our chance as parents to really make an impact. Please consider taking a little time off and making the drive up here. It's only 5-6 hours from New York City, Boston, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. For more background, along with links to legal papers filed regarding "Kid's Chalk", please go to: http://www.akidsright.org/family_rights/index.htm#current 2. New parent's group - NOPE ---------------------------- [ I received this announcement from Ray a few days ago and wanted to help with distribution. There are many 'groups' out there. Your FEEDBACK is welcome on what should be the goals & methods for reform. ] Submitted by: "Ray Lautenschlager" We would like to introduce ourselves; we are the National Organization for Parental Equality (NOPE) http://www.nopeohio.org/ and have recently absorbed Parents And Children for Equality (PACE) http://www.pacegroup.org/ . NOPE was brainstorm of Michael Galluzzo and Chuck Evan in October 2007. NOPE began as a small group of dedicated parents attempting to bring about change through the courts. During the last week of January of 2010 a new era began in parental rights in this nation when PACE was merged into NOPE. The actions for family law reform in the courts will continue; but we are also focused on public knowledge and legislative actions. Among our leadership is: MICHAEL GALLUZZO (President/co-founder) - Michael was one of the first to bring an original action in the federal court system that challenged Ohio custody statues and the methods by which the courts deprive fit parents of their children. Michael hails from Champaign County, Ohio and is a father that recognizes the importance of equal parental rights for all fit parents... CHUCK EVANS (Co-founder) - Chuck was the first to challenge the custody scheme of Ohio and took his case all the way to the Untied States Supreme Court years ago. With a knack for the legal issues that face separated parents, Chuck has done a great deal of the work on the Galluzzo Case, his own challenges to Ohio's custody scheme and has collaborated on needed changes that are currently being proposed to Ohio's Custody law to make it Constitutionally complaint... RAY LAUTENSCHLAGER - Ray is a long time Director with PACE in Akron, that has served without waver. He has been the webmaster for the group for nearly nine years and was one of the main writers on the equal custody legislation that was introduced by Rep. Ron Young in 2003. Ray has seen the good and bad of the system having started out with equal legal and physical custody of his son which he held for ten years before the courts inappropriately terminated his parental rights. Ray helped put together two parental right rallies on the steps of the Ohio Statehouse and continues to fight for the equal rights of all fit parents despite the fact that his son is now emancipated... DENNIS CARON - A longtime member of PACE and NOPE, Dennis fought the Franklin County courts against child support orders for a child that was not his. The courts finally relented and Dennis pushed legislation to help non-biological parents to stop paying support for children they did not father. Dennis is still an active contributor and sounding board for those active in the struggle for equal rights. As you can clearly see we started with an impressive team of fighters; fathers who have been on the cutting edge of this movement for years. These men have more often than not been working quietly in the background with little recognition for their efforts. They are not alone and have input from others throughout the country. The one thing that has remain constant has been their unwavering desire to get the laws changed and go home to be with their families and live in peace and quiet. How is this going to be achieved with in a reasonable amount of time? Our goal is a simple but one that has proven affective in all of our efforts so far. Join as many together under one voice and under one National Banner. This does not mean that individual group should or are expected to lose their respective identities. That is not our goal. Our goal is to make available the combined voices and knowledge of every group, mothers, fathers, grandparents and children into a single organization where they can join with a unified voice in speaking to the legislators in every state of the nation. Our goal is to make each group known to everyone out there that is seeking help. Our goal is to share with you the information that we have so that you are not re-inventing the wheel out of the box. In the near future, we will be accepting applications for individual chapters in areas that we do not presently cover. That will be a simple application and a simple process once chapters are approved for addition. Watch the site for more information as it becomes available. If you are a group that is presently in existence, add your information to our advocates map so that anyone that visits our site can see whom to contact in their area. You just may help someone that is lost in the shuffle of the family court nightmare that will be able to pay that forward for some one else some day. The only thing we ask is that you return the favor by putting a link and a NOPE banner of your site. A page with be added to our site shortly where banners of all sizes can be down loaded for use. So often we get a call or an email from someone that is telling us about finding something that we have known about for years. That is why we have one of the larger collections of information available on the internet and that collection is growing daily. The PACE site was a simple site when Ray took over ten years a go and it has grown to one of the larger sites on the internet with a total of nearly 300 pages of information and more coming as fast as his fingers can add it. We have done everything possible to make this information available for all to see including every filing in the Galluzzo federal case and two more major cases that are presently happening in Ohio. What is it going to take to make this work - the nasty "M" word- MONEY! With litigation that is presently being funded by individuals that have sacrificed everything to try to help all, we hope you will stepping up to help fund their work. The costs of printing and filing fees can bleed a person to death. We funded much of our work privately but please help us to continue. We have a Chip-in on our front page to show our progress in funding our current court battles. So why not join us in our efforts to make this work for all fit mothers, fathers, grandparents and children? We must work together so that they may have the justice that they deserve and we together will put an end to the tyranny of the family court system. Sincerely, The Leadership of NOPE 3. Your FEEDBACK - To chalk or not to chalk, that's the question? -------------------------------------------------------------- Before getting into the FEEDBACK, just a quick procedure summary for those new on the mailing list. If you send in a reply to a list message you should get a response. I want to again thank Ray Lautenschlager for taking care of email while I was 'tied up'. I caught up with some recent messages...so if you sent something in and didn't get a response, please write again. Especially when their may be disagreement, I encourage you to follow-up to our reply. We try to give you the last word in the FEEDBACK. In the FEEDBACK below you'll see a few critical comments along with my reply. I didn't get any response from the individuals. I'm sure some of you may share their opinions. I welcome your thoughts on some of my questions. --- Cinderelawonders at aol.com > just a thought...what if.... all of us started chalking? I have > been tempted Yes, I'm sure it is something that could become trendy. Just like the "Freedom Riders" against segregation -- but its got to start with a few people first. Risky business. --- Mark Deegan > Your the man... --- David Katz > this is all about YOU, and not anyone else. many of "us" on your > mailing list feel that you are on an ego trip. get real ...I think you know I support the Declaration of Family Rights, http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/the-declaration-of-family-rights I'd like to hear your scenario about how something that powerful becomes law? How do you see it happening? (no reply) --- Mike Kosak > God Bless You John!!!! I wish I could do some thing to help you > beside words of encouragement You are braver than I could ever be --- Shawn Monahan > I have remained mostly silent about your escapades thus far, > figuring the old phrase "To each their own" applied in your > situation... But honestly, you don't seem intent on doing much more > than making a public nuisance and spectacle of yourself and for > others whom resort to less destructive and childish means to get > their message in the public eye. You have resorted to extremely > bizarre and illegal methods to get your face in the media and > frankly, I think you do serious harm to those whom are seriously > trying to get change brought forward in our fight. > You deserve to go to jail when you do illegal and stupid > things. Jail is not a good place, it's not supposed to be... so why > don't you put up or shut up and quit complaining about your plight > when you have caused it. Thanks for taking the time to write and the frank thoughts on how useful this type of activity is. The whole point of NonViolent Action is a willingness to sacrifice for what you believe in. The potential for arrest/jail is part of that. We all don't need to do that, but without some people who are willing to step up -- I really don't see any significant reform happening. I think you know I support the Declaration of Family Rights, http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/the-declaration-of-family-rights You mention those "seriously trying" to get change to happen. Could you be more specific on those groups and their goals. I'd like to hear your scenario about how something that powerful becomes law? How do you see it happening? (no reply) --- chuck kristianson > Hope by the time you get this e-mail you will be out and > about. Thanks for all you do for us and our children. --- Stuart > > John-Keep up the fight and keep the media informed. Cheers- > > > Stuart Showalter, Exec. Dir. > Indiana Custodial Rights Advocates --- Paul > Let me begin by saying I admire your tenacity and willingness to > sacrifice for the cause. I have a suggestion, which shouldn't be > taken as demeaning your activities to date. Just a suggestion. > Instead of chalking a bland, general message on the building, why > not print a fact or two on posterboard, and simply LEAN it against > the building at the staff or public entrance. > For example: "80% of convicted felons come from fatherless homes." > There are enough of this type of statistic to provide ammunition for > months. No charges of defacing public property, no jail time. Thanks for the suggestion and it may be worth a try at some point in the future. Maybe some other people will find the idea interesting. The whole point of NonViolent Action is a willingness to sacrifice for what you believe in. The potential for arrest/jail is part of that. We all don't need to do that, but without some people who are willing to step up -- I really don't see any significant reform happening.... I know you have been involved in reform for a while. I'd like to hear your scenario about how something that powerful becomes law? How do you see it happening? --- Ron > I am so sorry to hear that you are in jail. I went on your website > for the first time. You have done an excellent job documenting your > case. Your efforts are not in vain you are providing a framework and > an example of peaceful non-violent resistance. I couldn't help but > wonder about your ex-wife. What kind of parent/wife would allow the > father of her children to suffer such abuses. Unfortunately our > society values money over parenting. I hope your release will be > soon and forth coming. It truly seems like a waste of taxpayers > money to keep your in jail. I hope to hear from you soon. Keep the > faith. --- lih music > It DOES take a lot of courage to stand for what's right when there's > so much political pressure to leave things as they are. Thanks for > all you're doing. I know it's wrong. There are many things wrong > in the juvenile courts in Oklahoma. There's at least one of the > Oklahoma Statutes that needs to be changed. The statute says that > nobody can touch the private parts of a child under sixteen. > As the statute is now, the child's parents, private physician, > caregiver or anyone can be charged with sexual abuse of a child if > they even change the child's underwear or give him/her a bath. My > Oklahoma Senator, Senator Andy Coates, is in the process of adding > the words 'in a sexual manner' to the statute so that parents and > caregivers can at least change the child's underwear or examine > him/her for injuries, etc. Many of these laws go to far to make it easy for prosecutors to get a conviction -- they allow you to convict without proving any 'intent'. It's surprising a law like that was passed, but of course, the excuse, "they were just thinking of the best interest of the children." --- Sean > I have paid close attention to your efforts for quite some time and > have silently admired what you have been doing. I have learned again > that you have been recently arrested and I am forced to reflect on > my own personal parental rights battle that has been going on for > the better part of close to 10 years. Most of which, I regret to say > has not be all that fruitful. Other than getting people to > acknowledge that there is a problem and hearing their words of > support, I have really not seen any progress in changing my > situation . > John, I feel a great deal of sadness when I hear that you have been > arrested again. For a person that I do not even know, this is a > little peculiar. Then again, I know why you are doing this and the > suffering that led you to this path. I think what saddens me the > most is the fact that people truly do not care about you or what you > stand for. The fact of the matter is that many of these people who > are part of this problem would probably rejoice if you were to > suddenly die. I know that this is the case for me. This fact alone > speaks volumes about our society and the loss of morals and ethics > that is prevalent today. > During the course of trying to ensure my parental rights, I have > gone through the whole gauntlet of all the dirty tricks that are > implemented. I have been slandered, arrested, isolated, harassed, > intimidated, and have seen people who were pretending to be > advocates that were actually working behind the scenes to ensure > that I never accomplished or made headway in my case. Perhaps the > worst of all is that by continuing to push forward, I have placed my > children in danger. I have witnessed one of my children being > drugged prior to crucial testimony and have had to listen as he > recounted how he was being threatened and intimidated by the people > that are supposedly caring for him. > There have been more than one occasion where I have had to seriously > consider that if the people that my children are living with are > willing to drug, intimidate, threaten, and possibly harm in order to > keep their secrets, am I really being responsible by trying to push > forward and fight? This is not a question that I am seeking an > answer for. I just wanted to throw it out there and let you ponder > on it for the sole purpose of hoping that this is not a valid > concern in your case. If it is not, I have just possibly provided > something for you to be grateful for; even if you are sitting in a > cell right now. > John, I am truly sorry for the circumstances that have brought us > both onto this path of hardship and emotional turmoil. At times I > have allowed these events to break my spirit and almost lead to the > end of my existence. I am fortunate enough to have been able to pull > out with my sanity and positive outlook on life intact. > I am always reminded by your messages that people can truly overcome > any obstacle and remain upbeat no matter what the circumstances > are. God bless you and I truly hope one day that you have the > ability to let go and have faith that the universe, God, or whatever > you believe in will restore balance, sensibility, and order to this > screwed up world that we live in. Feel free to spread this message > if it finds you well. I'm sorry to hear of what you and your children went through and you are quite correct about an uncaring system that sometimes just seeks to justify it's own existence. As you have probably found out in "family court" -- "We've already made up our minds, don't confuse us with facts!" It's a bad system, it needs to be changed and we can make that happen. 4. Your FEEDBACK - on reform in general. ------------------------------------ --- Myra > it is my personal opinion that parents have to come together as well > as families to fight people need away to be heard to make a change > I'm not knocking dc rally but i feel it should have a lot of media > attention regardless of if they show up or not the fact is they knew > here where i live no one knows about the rally there's plenty of > people who would attend etc but no one knows abt it why i know times > are hard but as parents we have to come together i would like to > start a rally that could be a all day or two day event our voices be > heard not depend on the media only but why not u tube it twitter > ,facebook it,my space it,beebo it,and any where else this is only my > opinion --- Bob van Ee > Though you might find good use for all of the attachments... Got your messages and scanned the attachments. I can find hundreds of stories of parents (both Mothers and Fathers) abusing their kids, etc... I've never used that type of stuff, not sure it has any 'good use.' My goal is getting the right of both parents to be presumed FIT & EQUAL in the lives of their children. You can read the petition (it's short) at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/the-declaration-of-family-rights We need to stand up for what we believe in, pointing out the faults of others doesn't go anywhere but victim-hood. --- Stu9esq at aol.com > the vote. control the swing vote..even 2 percent...we win. If we were voting on serving chocolate or vanilla for desert I might agree with you -- but the biases here, similar to segregation, run a lot deeper than that. If your goal is just a 'rebuttable presumption of joint custody' -- you might be right, but for a significant presumption of fitness and equality, we need to change how a lot of people think. --- Frank Votra > I signed the petition ["Declaration of Family Rights"], for what > that is worth as all that has to be done to subvert a man's rights > is file a domestic charge. However, I am still of the firm belief > that Civil Disobedience & NonViolent Action needs to be encouraged > in dramatic and definable acts. I don't care if it is a sit in or > march but it is a gathering of like minded individuals expressing > their displeasure that makes the general public take notice. --------- John Murtari _________________________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ From murtarij at yahoo.com Thu Feb 18 08:00:42 2010 From: murtarij at yahoo.com (John Murtari) Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:00:42 -0800 (PST) Subject: Murtari jailed in 6th "Chalk for Family Rights" incident/ Oaks Meeting Results. Message-ID: <963576.88650.qm@web112420.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Good People & People of Faith, [ NOTE: please send any message replies to this monitored addr: jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org] We wanted to send out a brief announcement that John Murtari was arrested & jailed again today (Feb 18th) in Lyons, NY. John used kid's chalk to write a large Family Rights messages on the walls at the County Courthouse (see photos at link below). He was planning on continuing his efforts with another message today outside a meeting of the County Board of Supervisors. John had a very good meeting with NY State Assemblyman Robert Oaks yesterday. It was clear Mr. Oaks is paying attention to our issues and acknowledges there may be a problem. Your letters and calls about abuses seem to have made an impact. He is not there yet, but may be moving closer to calling for Legislative hearings on the need for reform. You can read an excellent story on his past activities at the Internet news site Examiner.com: http://www.examiner.com/x-15873-Family-Rights-Examiner We don't have any more details yet, but they will be posted at the web site once we hear from John. John's public defender has a motion pending to dismiss all charges from an earlier arrest for similar conduct. His next Court date is Wednesday, Feb 24th at 8:30 AM. For details and pictures of his activity. http://www.AKidsRight.Org/family_rights/index.htm#current There is now a photo collage available for the "Chalk Campaign for Family Rights." John sent the photo to his Assemblyman and also plans on distributing it to local media(see link above). ALL PICTURES & DESCRIPTIONS at the website are free for reuse -- your help is welcome in getting the word out on efforts for reform. John appreciates all the folks who have called written in the past. If you have never taken the time to make your voice heard on the need for reform please take the time to call the officials below. Be polite and let them know your concerns and your support for Family rights. TO HELP JOHN: ------------- You can contact Assemblyman Oaks by: website: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=128 email: oaksr at assembly.state.ny.us phone: 315-946-5166 write: Assemblyman Robert Oaks, 10 Leach Road, Lyons, NY 14489 You are also welcome to call/write these officials on his behalf. * DA Richard Healey , Hall of Justice, Suite 202, Lyons, NY 14489 (Phone: 315-946-5905 / Fax: 315-946-5911) * Village Justice Nicholas Forgione, 79 William St., Lyons, NY 14489 (Phone: 315-946-4565) John always appreciates any letters, his jail address: John Murtari, P.O. Box 477, Lyons, NY 14489 What is worth 6 arrests? - THE DECLARATION OF FAMILY RIGHTS ----------------------------------------------------------- You can also sign the petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/the-declaration-of-family-rights -- John Murtari _______________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org Kid's Right to BOTH parents (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ From jmurtari at AKidsRight.org Tue Feb 23 14:16:50 2010 From: jmurtari at AKidsRight.org (John Murtari) Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:16:50 -0500 Subject: Murtari released early - thanks! / F4J Canada arrests on Bridge. Message-ID: <19332.10658.754030.655416@torch.softwareworkshop.com> Good People and People of Faith, This message has info on two items: 1. Murtari released early - thanks! 2. F4J Canada update - going for Olympic Gold! 1. Murtari released early - thanks! ----------------------------------- My sincere thanks for all of you who called/wrote local officials on my behalf. I was released around 10am and am now home! I woke up in jail this morning and had been there since my arrest on the 18th. I wasn't due to return to Court until tomorrow, Feb 24th. I was anxious and had resigned myself to staying at the jail for a while since this was my 6th arrest and I don't post bail. http://www.AKidsRight.Org/familyrights/index.htm#current The "not knowing when I'll be free again" can be an emotional roller coaster. Not nearly as bad as the "not knowing if I'll be able to see my kids" roller coaster most of us have been through in "family" court. That roller coaster always seems to run off the tracks! The newsletter isn't about converting people on religion. We each hold our own personal beliefs. Faith is an integral part of my taking NonViolent Action and also for those who have chosen this path in the past, http://www.AKidsRight.Org/civil.htm Let me tell you, I do a lot of praying when I'm in jail! I've had negative FEEDBACK from those who say I'm wasting my time, taking the wrong approach, barking up the wrong tree, etc... You can believe I think of each of those messages when I'm sitting in that concrete cell during the night hours. I pray to God for guidance, inspiration, and mercy -- and always express my thanks for what Domenic and I have together. No, I don't hear any voices or anything dramatic. Like many of you, at times I wonder if anyone is listening.... but faith is not about "knowing", it is about "believing". So I keep trying... I also thank God for the surprise of being free right now. For me, God is not some philosophical construct, but a loving Father who hears his children, cares about us, and can act in human events. In the long jail hours I really haven't doubted the necessity of my (and our) actions. Every kind message of support from many of you certainly affirms the value of NonViolent Action. Probably the biggest phone call I've had was from a Mother who thanked me for what I was doing and giving her hope in the future. Her son had taken a ride on the "Family Law Roller Coaster" and it didn't end well. He was cutoff from the children he loved and committed suicide. She hoped it would never happen to anyone else... Many times we pay lip service to the "Power of Love" -- well, I really believe it. Quite honestly, when I started using kid's chalk a few months ago, I never thought I would be free today. As parents we are gifted with probably the most powerful motivation there is -- the love we have for our children. But at times we are so timid, so afraid to act on that love. NonViolent Action gives us a proper channel. Does anyone doubt that if we had a group of even three mothers & fathers willing to chalk "I LOVE YOU" to their kids or "HELP FAMILY RIGHTS" on the walls outside a politician's office -- that it could be resisted? What representative could risk seeing a group of loving parents go on trial trying to get their attention? That it would be a be a big news story? 2. F4J Canada update - going for Olympic Gold! --------------------------------------------- [As always, the folks in F4J Canada have set the gold-standard on consistent group action. Several of them were arrested, charged with "mischief", and released -- they have their first court appearance on March 10th (including Rob Robinson, the Burnaby Batman!) Please show them support! Great pictures at the website. - John] Submitted by: "Burnaby Batman" BurnabyBatman at shaw.ca Greetings everyone, the Lions Gate Bridge Action that occurred on Feb. 17, 2010 in Vancouver BC during the Winter Olympics may now be reviewed on the Action site directly at http://www.f4jcanada.com/BCPages/F4J_Canada_Olympic_Action_BC.html There are many pictures, links to news coverage and a video clip from the Outlook News on the North Shore - Enjoy. I have also included a couple of more pictures with this message. Cheers: Rob Robinson - NAC - Fathers 4 Justice Canada -- John Murtari ____________________________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ From murtarij at yahoo.com Sun Feb 28 15:11:31 2010 From: murtarij at yahoo.com (John Murtari) Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 12:11:31 -0800 (PST) Subject: Chalk planning & National Parents Leadership Council - Organization & Action Message-ID: <781129.84786.qm@web111703.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Good People & People of Faith, [ NOTE: please send any message replies to this monitored addr: jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org] 1. Chalk planning - thanks for your help & contributions. 2. National Parents Leadership Council - Organization & Action 3. The Declaration of Family Rights - core principles for reform? 1. Chalk planning - thanks for your help & contributions. --------------------------------------------------------- I spoke with my assigned counsel, Mr. Andrew Correia, on Friday and he feels the charges associated with my two "Chalk arrests" should be dismissed. My next court date is March 10th in Lyons and a response from the DA on motions to dismiss should occur. http://www.AKidsRight.Org/familyrights Any further activity is suspended until the beginning of April. My son should be here for Spring Break from Mar 20-29 and I didn't want to put that at risk. I welcome a Mom & Dad willing to join me in early April! I'll also be working on formalizing a parent's group with clear goals and methods for reform (below). While in jail I welcomed $20 from attorney John Holden of Chicago. As I talked about in an earlier message http://www.AKidsRight.org/archive/archive2010/0003.html I'm pretty much a financial basket case -- thank goodness chalk is cheap! I could really use some help, especially with jail mail & phone expenses. Collect calls aren't cheap and I try to pre-pay people so I can call them when necessary. This jail requires a pre-paid account to any number you call with a starting deposit of from $25-$50 (yes, it's quite a racket!). Right now Teri Stoddard is my primary avenue for news while jailed, but she lives in California and the collect charges would be enormous. What I'd like to do is get a prepaid trac phone within the local exchange and mail it to her (or any future person doing publicity) -- that would make calls much cheaper! It would be nice to get this setup before April. I never like asking for money, but as many people have said, one person can not (and should not) do it alone. If you can send even five bucks, that's great! Here is my mailing address: John Murtari 34 Franklin St. Lyons, NY 14489 As always, I'll give a public accounting of what comes in and where it goes. Thank you! More on ideas for more formal organization/fund raising below. 2. National Parents Leadership Council - Organization & Action -------------------------------------------------------------- I'm convinced one of the big reasons we've been unable to form an effective national organization is a failure to specify a Family Rights goal and bring like minded people together. People that agree not only on the goal, but also methods. http://www.NationalPLC.Org/ As a member you'll be able to fully participate in planning & discussions. The networking software allows you to have your own BLOG and to create public and private groups (which in turn can have their own BLOGs). It also has a built in calendar system for event posting. Our goal, A Federal Family Rights act that captures the principles stated in the "Declaration of Family Rights" (below). We will plan events to move public opinion and also support a positive method of Civil Disobedience in the form of NonViolent Action. YOUR PARTICIPATION AND FEEDBACK ARE WELCOME! IF YOU WRITE IN, PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR DEFINITION OF A CLEAR LEGISLATIVE GOAL FOR REFORM, YOUR VISION OF HOW YOU SEE IT BECOMING A REALITY, AND WHAT SACRIFICES & ACTIONS YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO MAKE TO SEE IT BECOME A REALITY. In some recent email, I asked a bunch of people this same question and I didn't get one complete answer? Do we know what we want and how to get there, and, quoting the Little Red Hen, "Are we willing to help make the bread?" Please understand -- it's quite okay to say, "I can't do anything right now because ...." Hopefully, that simple admission helps give us a little humility and we begin to understand why politicians aren't jumping on our little band-wagon? 3. The Declaration of Family Rights - core principles for reform? ----------------------------------------------------------------- You can view, sign, and include your comments at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/the-declaration-of-family-rights -- John Murtari _______________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari at AKidsRight.Org Kid's Right to BOTH parents (315) 944-0999(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/