In the UK New Father's 4 Justice ~ Arrests after protest on 100ft crane

5:05pm, Sunday, 21st June 2009

TWO men staged a fathers' rights protest after scaling cranes at a Newport building site this morning.

The Father's Day action - more than 100 feet up - on the site of the partially-built university campus on the west bank of the River Usk, lasted almost three hours and forced the temporary closure of the city centre's main transport route.

Traffic was re-routed away from Usk Way, which was closed by Gwent Police for safety reasons for around three hours, along a 300-metre stretch from the Newport Centre to the traffic lights near the Castle Bingo complex.

Neither man has been named by police, though they are believed to be from the Newport area.

Dressed in costumes depciting Captain America and Banana Man, they draped banners over the cranes' edges, one of which read: Where's Daddy? New Fathers 4 Justice.

New Fathers 4 Justice is a pressure group dedicated to what it describes as non-violent direct action, to try to get the Government to redraft the family law system, which it believes is biased against fathers.

Police were called to the scene around 7.40am.

Aside from inconvenienced motorists, only early morning anglers on the city footbridge, a team of police officers and the occasional curious passer-by, one of whom shouted angrily at the pair, witnessed the protest.

One protester climbed down shortly after 10am and was arrested after completing his descent. The other came down at 10.30am. He too was arrested. Usk Way reopened shortly afterwards.

Both men were being held on suspicion of trespass.

wolvesfan, Cwmbran says...
5:19pm Sun 21 Jun 09

Good fro them
There are too many Dads that want to see their children who are being kept at arms length by vicious ex partners.
Anyone who is finding it difficult to get contact with their child should contact familes need fathers they are very helpful and can help you go to court as a litigant in person to rebuild the contact between you and your child.

Good fro them There are too many Dads that want to see their children who are being kept at arms length by vicious ex partners. Anyone who is finding it difficult to get contact with their child should contact familes need fathers they are very helpful and can help you go to court as a litigant in person to rebuild the contact between you and your child.

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ianzemma, newport says...
6:28pm Sun 21 Jun 09

lets not forget the fathers who can't be bothered to see their kids either,my kids dad hasn't seen his for 2 weeks and he knows he can see them any time he wants to,he just can't be bothered.so it swings both ways.

lets not forget the fathers who can't be bothered to see their kids either,my kids dad hasn't seen his for 2 weeks and he knows he can see them any time he wants to,he just can't be bothered.so it swings both ways.

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Nevasleep, Newport says...
6:59pm Sun 21 Jun 09

They mentioned this on the 5live news, in the morning.

They mentioned this on the 5live news, in the morning.

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alfy, newport says...
9:14pm Sun 21 Jun 09

I sympathise with these fathers, my son has been to hell and back, just to support and play an active part of his childs life, basically the court makes the rules and its up to the mother if she turns up or obeys the court's ruling,the wasters of parents not wanting to play a part of a childs life spoils it for the parent that does

I sympathise with these fathers, my son has been to hell and back, just to support and play an active part of his childs life, basically the court makes the rules and its up to the mother if she turns up or obeys the court's ruling,the wasters of parents not wanting to play a part of a childs life spoils it for the parent that does

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papa, Newport says...
9:38pm Sun 21 Jun 09

Whilst there is no doubt some are bad fathers there are also the majority of which are good fathers and all they are seeking are their rights to have contact with their children and they should be supported as such.
A friend of mine had to go court down in the south of England seeking visiting rights to his children.
Much to his surprise when the judge made his decision he granted him total custody of the five children and he returned to Newport with five kids of mixed sexes that initially caused him many problems but he now has five well behaved kids.
Closing the road seems to be a bit ridiculous to me just because a couple of guys are stood on top of the cranes waving a couple of banners.
They don’t close the road when these cranes are working are lifting tonnes of material into the sky.

Whilst there is no doubt some are bad fathers there are also the majority of which are good fathers and all they are seeking are their rights to have contact with their children and they should be supported as such. A friend of mine had to go court down in the south of England seeking visiting rights to his children. Much to his surprise when the judge made his decision he granted him total custody of the five children and he returned to Newport with five kids of mixed sexes that initially caused him many problems but he now has five well behaved kids. Closing the road seems to be a bit ridiculous to me just because a couple of guys are stood on top of the cranes waving a couple of banners. They don’t close the road when these cranes are working are lifting tonnes of material into the sky.

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jilted john, newport gwent says...
7:31am Mon 22 Jun 09

It is a very unfair law system.
I no of a father who took his own live because even though the court ruled he could have access the mother still denied him.
I guess he was just an emotional wreck.
Who can say if a woman should have the right to have the kids?
If there was never a reported problem, it should be equal from the beginning.
It is a terrible time for the kids losing a parent without only seeing the father when the courts decide.
I would imagine the cleverer dad would just stay in the house if he loved his wife or not just to see his kids let his kids grow up then bugger off.
However, I guess that would depend on the circumstances.
Even if the wife cheated on her husband, she would still have the kids
So the guy gets punished losing the trollop of a wife then losing his kids.

It is a very unfair law system. I no of a father who took his own live because even though the court ruled he could have access the mother still denied him. I guess he was just an emotional wreck. Who can say if a woman should have the right to have the kids? If there was never a reported problem, it should be equal from the beginning. It is a terrible time for the kids losing a parent without only seeing the father when the courts decide. I would imagine the cleverer dad would just stay in the house if he loved his wife or not just to see his kids let his kids grow up then bugger off. However, I guess that would depend on the circumstances. Even if the wife cheated on her husband, she would still have the kids So the guy gets punished losing the trollop of a wife then losing his kids.

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vic flange, says...
7:54am Mon 22 Jun 09

well done Matthew and mate . keep up the good work

well done Matthew and mate . keep up the good work

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Mrs Blus Sky, Cwmbran says...
9:42am Mon 22 Jun 09

I do support their cause, but in nearly all the cases of parents seperating that I know about the fathers harldy keep in contact wiith their children. We should be making it the law that fathers contribute to their children not only financially but emotionally.

I do support their cause, but in nearly all the cases of parents seperating that I know about the fathers harldy keep in contact wiith their children. We should be making it the law that fathers contribute to their children not only financially but emotionally.

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bucks, says...
9:52am Mon 22 Jun 09

Mrs Blus Sky wrote:
I do support their cause, but in nearly all the cases of parents seperating that I know about the fathers harldy keep in contact wiith their children. We should be making it the law that fathers contribute to their children not only financially but emotionally.

I agree with the first part of your comment, most of the blokes I know that have failed marriages or relationships make out that they desperately want to have a big role in their children's lives, but its too easy for them to opt out for a while, especially when they get into a new relationship. The last part of your comment is just daft, how do you propose a law to manage emotional contribution?

[quote][p][bold]Mrs Blus Sky[/bold] wrote: I do support their cause, but in nearly all the cases of parents seperating that I know about the fathers harldy keep in contact wiith their children. We should be making it the law that fathers contribute to their children not only financially but emotionally.[/p][/quote]I agree with the first part of your comment, most of the blokes I know that have failed marriages or relationships make out that they desperately want to have a big role in their children's lives, but its too easy for them to opt out for a while, especially when they get into a new relationship. The last part of your comment is just daft, how do you propose a law to manage emotional contribution?

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Davi, Gwent says...
12:18pm Mon 22 Jun 09

I support the cause, there are too many ex-partners giving the fathers hell.
They should think of the children and what they need, most ex's are bitter and bring this into the father/child relationship.

I support the cause, there are too many ex-partners giving the fathers hell. They should think of the children and what they need, most ex's are bitter and bring this into the father/child relationship.

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busybee, Cwmbran says...
12:28pm Mon 22 Jun 09

That will be why i couldn't go down that road toget to my parents house to see my father on fathers day coz of some stupid idiots, there are better ways to deal with this topic and not to waste the time of the emergency services etc...

That will be why i couldn't go down that road toget to my parents house to see my father on fathers day coz of some stupid idiots, there are better ways to deal with this topic and not to waste the time of the emergency services etc...

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username2, newport says...
12:45pm Mon 22 Jun 09

Good for them!!!!

Good for them!!!!

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vic flange, says...
1:08pm Mon 22 Jun 09

busybee wrote:
That will be why i couldn't go down that road toget to my parents house to see my father on fathers day coz of some stupid idiots, there are better ways to deal with this topic and not to waste the time of the emergency services etc...

Suprised your carers let you out on your own. the whole idea of the protest was to get attention to the way certain fathers are treated by there ex parterners and the system. i know one of the lads well and what hes been through in the last fews months is really shocking

good luck lads.. and if you get charged
just tell them your an MP and they will turn the other cheek

[quote][p][bold]busybee[/bold] wrote: That will be why i couldn't go down that road toget to my parents house to see my father on fathers day coz of some stupid idiots, there are better ways to deal with this topic and not to waste the time of the emergency services etc... [/p][/quote]Suprised your carers let you out on your own. the whole idea of the protest was to get attention to the way certain fathers are treated by there ex parterners and the system. i know one of the lads well and what hes been through in the last fews months is really shocking good luck lads.. and if you get charged just tell them your an MP and they will turn the other cheek

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JessicaSecker, cwmbran says...
4:05pm Mon 22 Jun 09

No it is not good for them!! Because i know for a fact that the one man DOES see his son VERY regulary. When he wants too, Where he wants to and when its convient for HIM.

I do believe that men have the right to see their children but some men do NOT want to.

I am infact the mother of the son of the one men in question.

So maybe listening to the 'evil' ex partners would be wise first.

No it is not good for them!! Because i know for a fact that the one man DOES see his son VERY regulary. When he wants too, Where he wants to and when its convient for HIM. I do believe that men have the right to see their children but some men do NOT want to. I am infact the mother of the son of the one men in question. So maybe listening to the 'evil' ex partners would be wise first.

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thomas39, cwmbran says...
4:20pm Mon 22 Jun 09

i am the grandmother with regards to the man protesting in the picture and i know for a fact that he does see his son,on a regular basics

i am the grandmother with regards to the man protesting in the picture and i know for a fact that he does see his son,on a regular basics

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wolvesfan, Cwmbran says...
5:11pm Mon 22 Jun 09

Mrs Blus Sky wrote:
I do support their cause, but in nearly all the cases of parents seperating that I know about the fathers harldy keep in contact wiith their children. We should be making it the law that fathers contribute to their children not only financially but emotionally.

Perhaps you should ask yourself why they aren't able to keep in contact when vindictive women make it so difficult to maintain contact and spread flase and malicious lies about their ex both to the children and the wider family

[quote][p][bold]Mrs Blus Sky[/bold] wrote: I do support their cause, but in nearly all the cases of parents seperating that I know about the fathers harldy keep in contact wiith their children. We should be making it the law that fathers contribute to their children not only financially but emotionally.[/p][/quote]Perhaps you should ask yourself why they aren't able to keep in contact when vindictive women make it so difficult to maintain contact and spread flase and malicious lies about their ex both to the children and the wider family

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wolvesfan, Cwmbran says...
5:14pm Mon 22 Jun 09

bucks wrote:

Mrs Blus Sky wrote: I do support their cause, but in nearly all the cases of parents seperating that I know about the fathers harldy keep in contact wiith their children. We should be making it the law that fathers contribute to their children not only financially but emotionally.

I agree with the first part of your comment, most of the blokes I know that have failed marriages or relationships make out that they desperately want to have a big role in their children's lives, but its too easy for them to opt out for a while, especially when they get into a new relationship. The last part of your comment is just daft, how do you propose a law to manage emotional contribution?

Unfortunately the timne of Dad getting a new partner is seen as a particularly fractiousd one and is often the time when mum starts her shenanigans in stopping contact- her insecurity won't let another woman parent her children.

Shame she doesn't have the same misgivings about all her new boyfriends she introduces the children to.

[quote][p][bold]bucks[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Mrs Blus Sky[/bold] wrote: I do support their cause, but in nearly all the cases of parents seperating that I know about the fathers harldy keep in contact wiith their children. We should be making it the law that fathers contribute to their children not only financially but emotionally.[/p][/quote]I agree with the first part of your comment, most of the blokes I know that have failed marriages or relationships make out that they desperately want to have a big role in their children's lives, but its too easy for them to opt out for a while, especially when they get into a new relationship. The last part of your comment is just daft, how do you propose a law to manage emotional contribution?[/p][/quote]Unfortunately the timne of Dad getting a new partner is seen as a particularly fractiousd one and is often the time when mum starts her shenanigans in stopping contact- her insecurity won't let another woman parent her children. Shame she doesn't have the same misgivings about all her new boyfriends she introduces the children to.

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wolvesfan, Cwmbran says...
5:24pm Mon 22 Jun 09

busybee wrote:
That will be why i couldn't go down that road toget to my parents house to see my father on fathers day coz of some stupid idiots, there are better ways to deal with this topic and not to waste the time of the emergency services etc...

Consider yourself lucky that you were only stopped from seeing your Dad on one Fathers day- most fathers in this predicament don't get to celebrate for years.
You clearly are a selfish individual, not to mentiona geograhically challenged one if you couldn't work a route out around the protest

[quote][p][bold]busybee[/bold] wrote: That will be why i couldn't go down that road toget to my parents house to see my father on fathers day coz of some stupid idiots, there are better ways to deal with this topic and not to waste the time of the emergency services etc... [/p][/quote]Consider yourself lucky that you were only stopped from seeing your Dad on one Fathers day- most fathers in this predicament don't get to celebrate for years. You clearly are a selfish individual, not to mentiona geograhically challenged one if you couldn't work a route out around the protest

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wolvesfan, Cwmbran says...
5:31pm Mon 22 Jun 09

JessicaSecker wrote:
No it is not good for them!! Because i know for a fact that the one man DOES see his son VERY regulary. When he wants too, Where he wants to and when its convient for HIM. I do believe that men have the right to see their children but some men do NOT want to. I am infact the mother of the son of the one men in question. So maybe listening to the 'evil' ex partners would be wise first.

Of course he should see his child where and when he wants to and hopefully that should be at his own home and on a regular basis.
Unfortunately a lot of women stop Dads from seeing thier children unless it is at their house or under the supervision of them or someone they know. As if suddenly Dads are unable to look after their own children just because they separated from their childrens mothers.
Unfortunately, Jessica Secker you sound like one of these control freaks.

[quote][p][bold]JessicaSecker[/bold] wrote: No it is not good for them!! Because i know for a fact that the one man DOES see his son VERY regulary. When he wants too, Where he wants to and when its convient for HIM. I do believe that men have the right to see their children but some men do NOT want to. I am infact the mother of the son of the one men in question. So maybe listening to the 'evil' ex partners would be wise first. [/p][/quote]Of course he should see his child where and when he wants to and hopefully that should be at his own home and on a regular basis. Unfortunately a lot of women stop Dads from seeing thier children unless it is at their house or under the supervision of them or someone they know. As if suddenly Dads are unable to look after their own children just because they separated from their childrens mothers. Unfortunately, Jessica Secker you sound like one of these control freaks.

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JessicaSecker, cwmbran says...
6:07pm Mon 22 Jun 09

wolvesfan wrote:

JessicaSecker wrote:
No it is not good for them!! Because i know for a fact that the one man DOES see his son VERY regulary. When he wants too, Where he wants to and when its convient for HIM. I do believe that men have the right to see their children but some men do NOT want to. I am infact the mother of the son of the one men in question. So maybe listening to the 'evil' ex partners would be wise first.

Of course he should see his child where and when he wants to and hopefully that should be at his own home and on a regular basis.
Unfortunately a lot of women stop Dads from seeing thier children unless it is at their house or under the supervision of them or someone they know. As if suddenly Dads are unable to look after their own children just because they separated from their childrens mothers.
Unfortunately, Jessica Secker you sound like one of these control freaks.

I am far from one of these 'control freaks' He does not however have him at his own house. He stays in mine as this is HIS wishes.

I have never stopped him seeing his son on any accounts and have always offered no limits for him to see his son. I am actually the one who contacts my ex so he can see his son. not the other way round.

Therefore i did not leave him, he left me after our son was 10 days old.

I have always and will always believe that a dad has the 50%/50% shared responsality to raise his child whether he is with the mother or not but when the father shows no interst in seeing his child then that is where it comes into account an unfit father needs restrictions.

IE if a 7 year old boy was PROMISED by their father that he would come and see him and say for example take him to the park for the day and he DOESNT turn up then its not the parents that are getting hurt.

Am i right in saying the parents BOTH need to make the child 100% no matter what it does to them? or is that being selfish if you only think about yourself and what others think of you????? as this seems to be the case with your opinion.

[quote][p][bold]wolvesfan[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]JessicaSecker[/bold] wrote: No it is not good for them!! Because i know for a fact that the one man DOES see his son VERY regulary. When he wants too, Where he wants to and when its convient for HIM. I do believe that men have the right to see their children but some men do NOT want to. I am infact the mother of the son of the one men in question. So maybe listening to the 'evil' ex partners would be wise first. [/p][/quote]Of course he should see his child where and when he wants to and hopefully that should be at his own home and on a regular basis. Unfortunately a lot of women stop Dads from seeing thier children unless it is at their house or under the supervision of them or someone they know. As if suddenly Dads are unable to look after their own children just because they separated from their childrens mothers. Unfortunately, Jessica Secker you sound like one of these control freaks.[/p][/quote]I am far from one of these 'control freaks' He does not however have him at his own house. He stays in mine as this is HIS wishes. I have never stopped him seeing his son on any accounts and have always offered no limits for him to see his son. I am actually the one who contacts my ex so he can see his son. not the other way round. Therefore i did not leave him, he left me after our son was 10 days old. I have always and will always believe that a dad has the 50%/50% shared responsality to raise his child whether he is with the mother or not but when the father shows no interst in seeing his child then that is where it comes into account an unfit father needs restrictions. IE if a 7 year old boy was PROMISED by their father that he would come and see him and say for example take him to the park for the day and he DOESNT turn up then its not the parents that are getting hurt. Am i right in saying the parents BOTH need to make the child 100% no matter what it does to them? or is that being selfish if you only think about yourself and what others think of you????? as this seems to be the case with your opinion.

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NF4Jstarmore, Little Mill says...
6:51pm Mon 22 Jun 09

I was part of the event, I was on the street team and point of Contact for the press and police. In regards to sean protesting for his rights he wasn't he has said that he has always had access and has never had a problem, it just pains him that fathers have no rights to be dads at all, He was standing up for fathers as a whole and fighting for equality through non violent protest and demonstration. As for the emergency services there are so many of them that have no rights to be dads, and are supportive of us. They didnt see there babies on fathers day ! i was there for my kids since the birth and was runing three jobs to give them the world but was dropped like a monster with none of my possestions or my children. what you did sean was above and beyond anything . to stand up for other fathers rights when you see your son is priceless , what a guy !

I was part of the event, I was on the street team and point of Contact for the press and police. In regards to sean protesting for his rights he wasn't he has said that he has always had access and has never had a problem, it just pains him that fathers have no rights to be dads at all, He was standing up for fathers as a whole and fighting for equality through non violent protest and demonstration. As for the emergency services there are so many of them that have no rights to be dads, and are supportive of us. They didnt see there babies on fathers day ! i was there for my kids since the birth and was runing three jobs to give them the world but was dropped like a monster with none of my possestions or my children. what you did sean was above and beyond anything . to stand up for other fathers rights when you see your son is priceless , what a guy !

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ianzemma, newport says...
7:21pm Mon 22 Jun 09

i phones my kids dad and asked if he wanted to have the kids spend time with his kids seeing as it was fathers day..his response "no,you're alright",i would love it if he saw his kids every week,but he doesn't ,they have a sports day in school friday,i text him today to tell him and again "if i can find it",if i'm perfectly honest it's as though he can't be bothered,but it's his loss,he's missing out on so much,if he worked i'd understand,but he doesn't as he's been made redundant,it comes to something when going to a car boot sale comes before seeing your children.