murdered.comCourt room evacuated in F4J protest. 13 June 2008
Dozens of employees were evacuated from a family court when Fathers 4
Justice campaigners stormed the building and a fire alarm was set off.
The protest, which began as a street demonstration, was joined by two
Westcountry campaigners who had scaled the roof of deputy Labour
leader Harriet Harman's home in Herne Hill, south London, earlier
this week.
Jolly Stanesby, from Ivybridge, South Devon, and Mark Harris, from
Plympton, were among about 30 banner-waving protesters dressed as
various superheroes during the action calling for fathers' rights at
Bristol County Court yesterday.
A dozen protesters dressed as Spiderman, Batman, Superman and The
Incredibles forced their way into the court and chanted "What do we
want? Justice. When do we want it? Now!"
A fire alarm was activated, although court staff could not confirm
who was responsible, and nearly 100 staff flooded into the street
outside.
Mr Stanesby said: "We always have a little get-together before
Father's Day to put our message across."
After the courts were stormed, two police vans arrived, along with
two fire engines, and the protesters left the building to continue
their march. Fathers 4 Justice is a civil rights group which
campaigns for parental equality and a father's right to see his
children.
Mr Stanesby added: "Just because my ex decided to move on...
shouldn't mean I don't get to see my child."
He said he and Mr Harris, who have been bailed by police since their
rooftop protest, had written to Ms Harman to request a meeting with
her.
"She's minister for justice and minister for women - how can those
two things go together?"
Mr Harris said opening family courts to the public was one of the
focal points of the Fathers 4 Justice campaign. He said: "Open up the
courts so people can see the ridiculous decisions made against
fathers. I was once sent to prison for waving at my daughters."
The demonstrators later unveiled a new poster campaign featuring
superheroes.
Bristol County Court later released a statement, saying proceedings
were disrupted for around 30 minutes and business then resumed as
normal.
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