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Syracuse Update - Your help is welcome!

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From: Webmaster (webmaster@kids-right.org)
Date: Mon Oct 29 2001 - 11:55:33 EST


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Good People & Friends,

I wanted to share an update on events at the Syracuse Federal Building
and also make a request for help.  This may sound surprising, but I
have had about 6-8 different people express an interest in joining me
and undergoing arrest, spending a night in jail.  So far, I have
managed to talk every one of them out of it (it hasn't been very
hard!).

For the most part I can tell from their original message that they
won't make it.  The messages are usually full of anger toward someone
and they want the world to know how wrongfully they have been treated
(and really, I don't deny the reality of what they say).  But the
anger (or desire for revenge) is a problem.  It's funny, this list has
been around for years now.  We keep saying the secret of success is a
simple message ("I love my child. I want to be an equal parent. This
is my Civil Right") - but people just don't seem to be interested in
that.

I ask them to review our Checklist for NonViolent Action,
http://www.AKidsRight.Org/checklist.htm and I tell them there might be
cameras there, maybe an in-jail TV interview. But for sure they can
expect a Police Officer who will tell them they can expect a year in
jail for what they are doing - and how would they like that?  So far,
no takers!

I'm a former Military Officer (a graduate of the US Air Force Academy)
and let me tell you a hard truth.  Anger and a desire for revenge are
poor motivation for soldiers in a difficult military campaign.  You
would be surprised how quickly anger disappears when you find your own
life is in danger!  You've got to be FOR something.  Love of Country,
the family back home, or simply just the guy next to you.

MOTHERS & FATHERS
-----------------
This message if for you if first & foremost, you love your children
and also the children of others.  This message if for you if you have
a strong Faith in a loving God.  If you understand it is the readiness
to make personal Sacrifice which always has value - not the net
result.  If you can appreciate your own faults and failings as well as
those of your former spouse?

With all sincerity I can say we are on the dawn of new Civil Rights
movement.  The participation of just a few more people will bring the
media coverage.  Will force the Senators to answer the question,
"Shouldn't we better protect the Civil Rights of Families?"

But let me share a SECRET, something I didn't even realize till a
short while ago.  Unlike the loss of control I felt in my life when
the "system" stepped in, I am now in "control". A lot of the anger I
used to feel toward the people that had destroyed my son's life (well
intentioned or not), is mostly gone.  My Faith has deepened. I still
go through all the indignities of being an NCP (Non Custodial Parent),
struggling to talk to my child on the phone, scheduling vacation time
together, etc... - but now I am doing something about it.  The
absolute most I can, by willingly sacrificing my freedom as a
demonstration of my Love.

When the handcuffs go on, I am liberated.  My future is in the hands of
other good people, and most importantly, in the hands of God.  It is a 
good feeling.

BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW, I can really use your help. If I continue to
be the only one and keep bothering the "system."  I could eventually
end up with the year in jail, and I really don't want that to happen!
The stakes are very, very high.  I could lose much contact with my
son, my business, my home, and that is a tall order.  I am an only
child and have an 85 year old mother who lives alone. It's tough on
her, but she understands.

I am humbled by the fact that I do not know if I would respond to
this type of request a few years ago.  We all have so many things
going on in our lives.  But this is more than a one person job and
I know that more people are out there -- who are moving toward making
the "leap of Faith."

We do have a new picture at the site of NonViolent Action in "action",
contributed by Don Harting, a free lance writer, check
http://www.AKidsRight.Org/events.htm

John Murtari (jmurtari@AKidsRight.Org) More details below.
---------

If you are new to the list and want to catch up, the best places to
look are the web site (http://www.AKidsRight.Org/actionb_syr) and the
recent mailing list messages
(http://www.AKidsRight.Org/archive/archive2001).

Well, I have been there twice, charged with trespass twice, spent a
night in jail twice, and been released the next day twice.  I am
fortunate to have an assigned counsel who is dynamic, not afraid to
raise Constitutional issues, and effective (about a year ago he got
over a dozen charges against me dismissed for the very same activity).
His name is Charles Keller, and he is in charge of the Criminal
Division for a local Legal Aid society.

Another Mom & Dad were there during the first arrest, Yvonne Cook and
Richard Eichinger.  I was very thankful for them driving all the way
from Indiana - it let the officials know that this person is not
alone.  Last week I didn't have any company, and today (Monday the
29th), I don't know of anyone coming.  I may be stuck in jail for a
while this time if they set bail (as a policy I refuse to make bail).
After the last arrest the Judge issues an "Order of Protection" for
the building (similar to what happened before).  I am only allowed
there for official business - and of course I am there to quietly
petition our Representative for reform - and I can't think of a more
important official reason to be there.

I think you all know that before this approach can be effective in
getting Senator Schumer, Senator Clinton, and Congressman Walsh to
take note - more people have to get involved.  After all we have done
and the meetings we have had in the past, ONLY Congressman Walsh has
given us the courtesy of a reply.  The others have just been silent.
We have there contact information at the web site (above) - take the
time to make a quick phone call.

If you wish to join directly in the effort, just send me a message
at jmurtari@AKidsRight.Org.


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