London, England–Canadian F4J Protesters climbed onto the roof of New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton’s constituency office in a highly-publicized protest over a lack of response from Jack Layton on issues surrounding child custody and access post divorce (see picture above). To see pictures of the protest and view media coverage, click here. The protesters said “NDP” really stands not for the New Democratic Party but for “No Dads Party.” Below is a press release from F4J Canada National Coordinator Kris Titus:
Contact: Kris Titus, National Coordinator. Phone: 1-888-345-2262 ext. 704 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 9, 2008 F4J Fathers 4 Justice Canada vows to continue their peaceful protests at Jack Layton’s constituency office. On Friday, August 8th at approximately 6am two F4J Fathers 4 Justice everyday superheroes and support climbed onto the roof of NDP Leader Jack Layton’s constituency office to protest a lack of response from Jack Layton on issues surrounding child custody and access post divorce. Mr. Layton has once again decided to remain ‘obtuse’. Claiming in media reports he was unaware of our group and the issues we stand for. The group which advocates for equal parenting rights for both adults and children says that they have received a cold shoulder from Jack Layton and decided it was time to take action when reports from other members began coming in about Layton’s refusal to discuss equal parenting issues. Equal Parenting may be the hot plate issue heading into the fall session in parliament and the subsequent election as there is currently a Federal Private Member’s Motion ( M483 ) on the order paper to support a shift to presumptive equal parenting. An omnibus survey from February 2007 shows over 79% of Canadians support federal legislation for presumptive equal parenting. “What we’re hearing, even from other members of the NDP party, is that Jack Layton will advise his MP’s not to support this motion, although they would if given freedom to vote their conscience and the will of their constituents,” says Kris Titus, National Coordinator for F4J Fathers 4 Justice Canada. In 2007, F4J Northwest Territories Director, Mark Bogan aka Plywood Man, has personally shown NDP Leader Jack Layton a petition with over 1,000 signatures from the NWT in support of equal parenting. The group intends to continue to arrange non-violent direct actions and protests at Jack Layton’s constituency office until he publicly allows his members their right to vote freely on Motion M483. For summary of yesterday’s action, please visit. http://f4jcanada.com/OntarioPages/No_Dads_Party_August_08_08.html National Coordinator, Kris Titus, will hold a press conference outside the courthouse at 444 Yonge St, Toronto, ON after the bail hearing for 3 of the groups activists scheduled for 10AM EDT. Ms. Titus will also make a brief statement regarding the conduct of the police during this non-violent protest. For further comment: Kris Titus – National Coordinator – 1-888-345-2262 ext. 704 officefathers4justicecanada@gmail.com