Protesting fathers' court occupation
Daily Mail
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civil rights group campaigning to give fathers a louder voice in law staged a
protest occupation of a court room in the Family Division of the High Court.
Up to 50 members of Fathers 4 Justice burst into Court One of the division in
High Holborn, central London, this morning while as many again protested
outside.
Sessions were suspended and police were in process of removing the demonstrators
but there had been no arrests, a spokeswoman for Scotland Yard said.
It is the latest in a series of protests staged by the group who claim fathers
have been unable to publicise miscarriages of justice for years because "of a
conspiracy of silence in the family court".
Last month a handful of campaigners climbed on Plymouth Crown Court to highlight
their plight and in December 100 men dressed in Father Christmas costumes staged
a sit-down at the children's branch of the Lord Chancellor's Department in
London.
A spokeswoman for the group said today's protest was aimed at "opening up the
courts to the general public" which, the protesters claim, operate under a cloak
of secrecy.
Group founder Matt O'Connor said: "The main family courts in London are now open
to the public for the first time in years.
"Hundreds of fathers, some mothers and grandparents are risking arrest today by
taking this direct action."
The group claims fathers going through divorce or separation proceedings are not
treated equally in court and as many as 40% lose contact with children after
relationships end.
They also claim court orders that should give fathers access to children are not
always enforced.
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