No experience required! We will just be doing one of the most 'basic' things regarding government.  Visiting the offices of our legislators and asking them to make Family Law Reform an urgent priority.  To give us a chance to tell our stories....  We did this for Mother's day, and are putting up some notes now on that experience.

Draw favorable public and media attention to the need for Federal Civil Rights protection of the parent/child bond.  Also provide an opportunity for many different Family Rights group to gather together for a shared goal. Our first step will be a call for Congressional Hearings into reform and development of a Family Rights Act.  Specifically:

• Presumption of equal physical/legal custody in separation/divorce.
• Protection of a Jury when the parent/child relationship is threatened by a spouse or child "protective" services.
• Right to representation by Counsel.
• Right to speedy trial and cross examination of all witnesses.

Our answer to the question, "Why are you doing this?"  We are parents who LOVE our children and want to be restored to an equal relationship.   We need Federal protection of our Civil Rights and want Congressional hearings into reform.

We won't be there in anger, or to "barbecue" our legislators. We will be there to:

• Show the strong love we have for our children. 
• Plead for their sponsorship of Family Rights legislation. 
• Demonstrate our willingness to take time off to visit their offices regarding this issue.

To get a real Family Rights Act started in Congress, we need a House and Senate Sponsor to introduce the bill. 

There are now several groups recognizing parenting as an "inalienable" right, deserving our highest protections. We encourage you to visit their sites, read the draft legislation.  We all have something we can be "for" now!

• http://www.ancpr.org/testresolution.htm (apply criminal standards before separating a parent and child). 
• http://www.custodyreform.com/reform-files/reform-mission2.html (criminal standards - focus is state legislature) 
• Our Family RIghts Act.  (jury protection, a federal protection applying to all states)
• http://www.childsbestinterest.org/ (working for reform in Tennessee)

This is the POLITICAL PROCESS, it is our duty to show them how much we care about our position. That the consideration of serious Family Law Reform is the single, most important issue that should occupy their time. To convince them it is in their best interest to sponsor reform OR to be fairly labeled a Senator who doesn't think Parents have a Constitutionally protected right to be with their own children.

Right now our planning date is June 14th, the Friday prior.  We plan on having dinner together the night before so people can get to know each other, and will then head to the Capitol the next day to visit the Washington offices of our Members of Congress.  We plan on starting at about 10 AM and finishing by 3PM so that people who have long drives can leave.

Parents can help in many ways with this action.  

People considering the role of Supporter or as a Spokesperson should closely review the NonViolent Action Checklist.  Please get questions answered before participating.  The Walkers will be making a big sacrifice, we will support them with a single voice:  "We are parents who LOVE our children and want to be restored to an equal relationship.   We need Federal protection of our Civil Rights and want Congressional hearings into reform."

For this effort we will NOT make issues of child support, judicial conduct, or other professional conduct.  These are valid issues in their own right, but are just not the focus or the message to be heard from this effort.

Please complete the following form to participate or ask questions.   We will be posting more information and also links to other groups supporting similar goals.