|
|
|
Pending Trial in US District Court for efforts to get Senator Hillary R. Clinton to call for hearings into National Family Law Reform. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Oct 8, 2002 Syracuse, NY (US Courthouse for the Northern District of New York) - On Wednesday, October 9th, at 2pm, John Murtari (a native of Lyons, New York), will appear before US Magistrate Judge Gustav J. DiBianco with his assigned counsel Ms. Lisa Peebles. The crux of the issue is the right of a citizen to petition their Member of Congress inside a US Federal Building. Asst. US Attorney Richard Southwick has delivered a 4 count "complaint" against Mr. Murtari who is a member of a parent's group working to convince Senator Clinton of the need for Congressional hearings into Family Law reform. The Judge will hear motions regarding the case and set a trial date. Mr. Murtari has tried to quietly walk in the halls outside the offices of Senator Clinton simply carrying a picture of children with the words, "Senator Clinton, please help us". He has been arrested for doing this even though he had sent a polite letter to the Building Manager and Senator notifying them of the upcoming peaceful action - and that the action had been allowed in the past. Approximately eighteen previous arrests had resulted in all charges being dismissed by both local City Judges and a US District Court Judge. Mr. Murtari, a former Air Force pilot and Academy graduate, is a local coordinator for the group. He is the President of a small Internet startup company located in Baldwinsville, NY. Other parents present during his arrest were: Ms. Mary Jo Marceau Hawthorn, Macedon, NY, Mr. Chris Ranney, Binghamton, NY, and Mr. Richard Eichinger, Ft. Wayne, Indiana. They had also visited the local office of Senator Clinton to present their concerns. This was described as the use of NonViolent Action to demonstrate a willingness to make sacrifice for their love for family. A spokesperson for the group expressed frustration that even after several letters and meetings over the past year with her staff, there has been little progress to acknowledge their plight and the need for Federal protection of parents and families. They also acknowledged that many parents hurt by the system feel powerless to cause change and don't know what to do. In contrast to the bitterness and anger which is normally associated with protest efforts and family issues -- these people plan a positive attitude. The spokesperson was careful to note they were NOT going there to condemn the Senator as a "bad person" or as someone who doesn't care about family or children's issues; however, as a natural part of the political process they plan to show their concern over the issue and to increase her sensitivity to their cause. They are hoping for Congressional Hearings into Family Law reform so that the many parents affected by the present patchwork of laws across the nation will have a chance to tell their stories. AKidsRight.Org wants recognition of parent's rights to an equal relationship with their children, and the protection of a Jury when that relationship is threatened by either divorce, separation, or the action of child protective services. For more information: John Murtari, Group coordinator, (office:
315-635-1968,x-211)(cell: 315-372-4830). Ms. Cathy Calhoun, Regional Rep. for Senator Clinton:
315-448-0470 |
