Stanesby denies F4J protest will end

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Monday, September 08, 2008
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This is Plymouth

AN IVYBRIDGE fathers' rights protester has dismissed reports that future campaigning will cease.

Jolly Stanesby spoke of his desire to continue protesting after the founder of Fathers 4 Justice (F4J) announced it would close this month.

Matt O'Connor – who started the group in 2002 – said the campaign was planned to last three years but had continued because of the demand from desperate parents.

He said it was the most profoundly difficult decision that he had ever taken.

However, Mr Stanesby – also a founder member of the organisation – moved to reassure other protesters that the group would continue into the foreseeable future.

A new organisation has now been launched called NEW Fathers 4 Justice.

"Of course we'll be sorry to see him go, but this is not the end," Mr Stanesby said.

"We will most definitely keep the organisation going for as long as there's the demand.

"At the moment there's no way it will end. We're as keen as ever and working on some campaigns for later this year."

He added: "Being a part of the organisation is a big part of everyone's lives but we intend to keep it going."

Mr O'Connor said he had taken the decision after discussions with his children and reviewing the demands of the job.

"I have been privileged to work with some truly heroic people", he said.

"I have given six years of my life to this ministry, doing service and helping other dads, mums and grandparents, but the day has now come for me to put my family first.

"I hope people will respect my decision to get back to being a father to my children, and that other visionaries will emerge to create new groups and continue this historic ministry.

"We need new blood, new ideas and new vision", he added.

tnichols@theplymouthherald.co.uk

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  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Pete, "PERSECUTION HEREFORD"

    Friday, November 28 2008, 10:07PM

    “I used to be a member, i won my case with the help of W.D Wilson & F4J.
    Now i'm being persecuted by Hereford FEMINAZI'S employed by Hereford Council.
    I have tried to get my local Hereford Councillor involved in this issue of persecution, they refuse to help".HEREFORD IS FULL OF FEMINAZI'S.
    If things dont improve i might join F4j again, what have i to loose, i'm unemployed so i might as well make myself usefull!!!
    "FREE JOLLY NOW & KEEP THE GOOD WORK UP GUYS"”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Molly, Sutton

    Tuesday, September 09 2008, 9:08PM

    “I have mixed feelings. I think that the manner of the protests has generally been harmless, often stylish and witty and society should be prepared to suffer a little disruption so that others can publicly protest. On the other hand the issues are not so simple. Few of us would trust most meddling narrow minded self-righteous social workers to play god in settling family contact arrangements. However the four demands of this fathers' group are difficult to accept. There should be no presumption that either mother or father should is the better carer but there has to be a principal carer and it cannot be 50/50. Open Courts are not appropriate in children cases where the privacy and identity of the children must be respected and where miscarriages of justice can be dealt with more openly and swiftly in the appellate courts. there is already mediation. making it compulsory would enable an intransigent party to slow the eventual decision and the arbitrator/mediator would have no power which could not in turn be challenged with a doubling up of the contested process. Enforcement is already available. Those who fail to comply with orders or agreements made or sanctioned by the court can already be brought to book using the contempt process and this is applied to either mother or father equally. The aggrieved parent should generally move faster to use the courts powers if there is a breakdown or breach.”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Molly, Sutton

    Tuesday, September 09 2008, 9:07PM

    “I have mixed feelings. I think that the manner of the protests has generally been harmless, often stylish and witty and society should be prepared to suffer a little disruption so that others can publicly protest. On the other hand the issues are not so simple. Few of us would trust most meddling narrow minded self-righteous social workers to play god in settling family contact arrangements. However the four demands of this fathers' group are difficult to accept. There should be no presumption that either mother or father should is the better carer but there has to be a principal carer and it cannot be 50/50. Open Courts are not appropriate in children cases where the privacy and identity of the children must be respected and where miscarriages of justice can be dealt with more openly and swiftly in the appellate courts. there is already mediation. making it compulsory would enable an intransigent party to slow the eventual decision and the arbitrator/mediator would have no power which could not in turn be challenged with a doubling up of the contested process. Enforcement is already available. Those who fail to comply with orders or agreements made or sanctioned by the court can already be brought to book using the contempt process and this is applied to either mother or father equally. The aggrieved parent should generally move faster to use the courts powers if there is a breakdown or breach.”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Claire, Cwmbran

    Monday, September 08 2008, 6:40PM

    “Michael I only hope you are never put in the position that some vengeful woman stops you seeing your children/ grandchildren becuase she can/ wants more maintenance/ thinks she is the virgin mary to be obeyed or because you have a new partener who she objects to or she has a new partner and therefore wants you out of the childrens lives and wants new partner to become replacement dad.
    Clearly that hasn't happened to you yet, but for some people up in front of the biased family court judges and magistrates who are toothless old duffers it has happened.
    Surely a disruption to your journey isn't too much of a price to bear to acknowledge the sheer pain of having your children removed from you by your ex, sponsored by the state and your taxes.”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Rhetorician, Plymouth

    Monday, September 08 2008, 7:05AM

    “Although I agree with you Gerry but you are talking about something completely different. F4J is about helping the honest hardworking, dad maintain a meaningful and responsible relationship with his children. Sadly SOME women for whatever reason choose to use deny this despite court orders and agreements, which even though they are made are seldom enforced by the family courts making them useless or as good as. Of course if a bloke was a voilent or malcontent type you would also expect that he be kept well away from children, however in most cases this is not so. Its not about taking a mothers rights away it is about recognising and if necessary re-enforcing the rights of fathers. I hope that you never get stuck in this rubbish system or if you do it will have been overhauled and made a darned sight fairer than it is now.”

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