Jailed Outside Clinton Offices - Worth It?

jmurtari@AKidsRight.Org

Good People & People of Faith,

    This will be my longest jail time as part of a NonViolent 
<http://www.AKidsRight.Org/civil.htm> Action for Family Rights 
<http://www.AKidsRight.Org/approach.htm>.  In the past Federal 
Magistrate DiBianco had assigned a max of 10 days for any single offense 
-- my longest sentence of 30 days for three incidents.  Federal 
Magistrate Peebles, newly assigned to handle my activity, is taking a 
much firmer approach.

    I've been held in jail since Jan. 29th and my trial isn't until 
March 31st.  I'm facing Criminal Contempt for disobeying his order to 
stop my actions <http://www.AKidsRight.Org/clinton#log>.

    Stop using kid's chalk to write "I LOVE YOU" to my son and "SEN 
CLINTON HELP US" on the ground outside the Syracuse Federal Building.  I 
did it twice, so I'll have already done 30 days for each incident prior 
to my trial -- and I'm pretty sure he plans to add on even more.  The 
max he can give me is 6 months for each incident.  Is it worth it?  
Should parents stop thinking of doing something like this?

*Public Action to change Public Opinion*_

_    I think everyone agrees we would get some good media coverage and 
maybe a National story if a steady stream of parents began to come to 
Syracuse.  If they come to write "I LOVE YOU" 
<http://www.AKidsRight.Org/clinton/national.htm> to their kids and 
accept arrest (realistically, you would probably only get a ticket and 
be released, but anyone would have to be ready for jail).

    A sequence of arrests would fascinate the media and certainly cause 
them to ask questions.  Including questions to Sen. Clinton and her 
staff -- why won't you meet with these peaceful & loving parents 
<http://www.AKidsRight.Org/clinton/agenda.htm> about Family Rights?

*We are not Criminals*_

_    Peaceful Civil Disobedience is an essential part of _NonViolent 
Action_ <http://www.AKidsRight.Org/civil.htm>.   How should we feel 
about ourselves and how should we be treated?  If the year was 1955 
would you assign the same amount of criminal intent to these two 
offenders:  a black man writing "I AM EQUAL" with chalk versus a vandal 
who writes profanity?

    Before being arrested on the 29th I wrote a letter to Judge Peebles 
<http://www.AKidsRight.Org/clinton/peebles3.pdf> trying to explain my 
motivation.  I hope it represents ideas many of us share.

*Is it Worth it?*_
_
    Boy, haven't I had a chance to think about that one!  Jail is no fun 
and I'll be missing Spring Break with my son.  The Judge denied my 
request for a change in trial date.  What if no other parents join the 
effort?  Is it worth it?

    Is there a God that loves us even more than we love our own 
children?  Faith has always been a foundation of _NonViolent Action_ 
<http://www.AKidsRight.Org/civil.htm>.  Especially at the beginning of a 
Civil Rights movement.

    We all remember the name of the black lady, Rosa Parks, who refused 
to move to the back of the bus.  She provided a trigger for the bus 
boycott <http://www.AKidsRight.Org/p_martin.htm> and for the hundreds of 
"freedom riders" that followed.  Blacks who sat in the front of the bus 
and accepted jail with dignity.

    Was she the first one?  No.  You can be sure there were others 
before her.  Arrested, jailed and nobody remembers their names.  Homes 
burned down by the KKK for being an uppity ni$$er and we don't know them.

    Am I willing to be a no name?  Are you?  Is it worth it?  How great 
of a Civil Right is the ability to be presumed FIT & EQUAL parents 
unless found guilty in a criminal court of harming our children with 
malintent?

*If you have time*

    Please read the letters to Judge Peebles about my intentions 
<http://www.AKidsRight.Org/clinton/peebles3.pdf>, and asking for a 
change in trial date <http://www.AKidsRight.Org/clinton/peebles4.pdf> to 
see my son.  His mailing address and that of the US Attorney can be 
found there.  Write and let them know what you think about Family 
Rights.  Fax/call the offices of Senator Clinton in Syracuse (Mr. Jay 
Biba, fax: 315-448-0476, tel: 315-448-0470).  You're welcome to also 
send me a copy in jail.  My address is:

John Murtari
P.O. Box 143
Jamesville, NY 13078

I look forward to hearing from you!  Please also write your return 
address within your letter.  The Jail ocassionally rips off return 
addresses when opening envelopes for inspection.  I hate to ask, but 
small donations of $5 - $10 are welcome.  They will help cover phone and 
mail expenses while I'm in jail.  They should be in the form of a Postal 
money order with my name.  As in the past, we will post the names of 
contributors at the web site.

-- 
                                                         John Murtari
____________________________________________________________________
Coordinator                                      AKidsRight.Org
jmurtari@AKidsRight.Org                "A Kid's Right to BOTH parents"
Toll Free (877) 635-1968(x-211)     http://www.AKidsRight.Org/

=======================================
http://www.AKidsRight.Org/   
A Kid's Right to Both Parents!
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