[AKidsRight.Org] Murtari Update / Rally in Syracuse / Your FEEDBACK

jmurtari@akidsright.org

Good People & People of Faith,

This message contains info on:
1. Update on John Murtari
2. Rally in Syracuse
3. Your FEEDBACK on John Murtari
4. How you can help - Contact the media and public officials.

1. Update on John Murtari
--------------------------
Our thanks to Teri Stoddard, Group PR Person who gave the following
update on John Murtari:

>From Teri:

John is suffering from eight days of dehydration and starvation. He
calls it being "uncomfortable," but his voice sounds weak, and he said
the feeding tube he once feared was, "now the best thing I can
imagine."

John was taken to a local hospital emergency room Friday when his
heartbeat became rapid and irregular.  Plans to give him fluids by IV
were halted for reasons unknown, and he was returned to the Onondaga
County Justice Center medical unit.  At the insistence of the Justice
Center doctor he drank 3 small cups of water, the amount of fluids he
was told he would have gotten from the IV.  John hadn't had any food
or liquid since July 31, except for small amounts of water that get
swallowed when he brushes his teeth.  He was told he'd get a feeding
tube Monday.

On Monday a Senior Medical Administrator at the Justice Center told
John they would not be putting in an IV or feeding tube, as he'd 
originally been told.  She said there were ethical considerations 
involved.

Fearing permanent kidney failure, the doctor again asked John to drink
but he refused.  She said if the condition progressed to an emergency
situation they would take action and send him to an emergency room for
treatment.

Saying, "It's not easy," John had been praying for guidance.  Tuesday
morning John had uncontrollable shakes, and later was told since it is
his choice to starve, medical personnel at the Justice Center
will not intervene.  Mr. Keller, John's criminal attorney, is
currently checking on their official stance, and will do what he can
to bring a third-party doctor onto the case.

When John learned of the planned rally in his honor (see below), he 
celebrated by drinking 6 more ounces of water, which was good news 
to many people who fear for his health.  He said he also did it 
because didn't want to have "the shakes" if he was going to be 
interviewed.  He asked that his sincere thanks are conveyed to 
everyone concerned about his situation.

Offers of donations for press releases have exceeded our initial
request, so with their permission we will use some of the money
donated by generous friends to pay for John's next set of paperwork to
be filed with the courts.  With luck, and a stay, he could get out of
jail, at least for a few months.

John loves reading your letters. Please send them to:
John Murtari
POD 2A-5
555 South State Street
Syracuse, NY 13202

2. Rally in Syracuse
---------------------
A rally in support of John and all families torn apart by the family
court system, is being held in front of the Onondaga County Courthouse
Wednesday, August 9, 2006.  It starts between 10:00 and 11:00, and
should end around 2:00.  Check the following link for further details:
http://www.AKidsRight.Org/actionc_syr/courthouse_demonstration.htm 

MAP: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=401+Montgomery+St,+Syracuse,+NY+13202&ie=UTF8&ll=43.047118,-76.147742&spn=0.003591,0.010815&om=1

Please tie a purple ribbon on a statue or tree, take a photo and email
it to me with the location (teri@akidsright.org).  Even better,
demonstrate on Wednesday, like supporters of John plan to do in Los
Angeles, London, Virginia, New Zealand and other locations.  Make sure
John's suffering isn't in vain.

Please check the following links for updates on John:
http://www.AKidsRight.Org/support_jm.htm
Feminist4Fathers Blog at http://feminist4fathers.mensnewsdaily.com

3. Your FEEDBACK on John Murtari
-----------------------------------

--- In la-ncfm@yahoogroups.com, Ray Blumhorst <gottkinder@...> wrote:

It appears now I'll have the truck on the street in the Valley with:
> FREE JOHN MURTARI

> I got it painted yesterday, now I have to assemble it all, wash the
> truck, then put it on the street in the early a.m.

--- Neil Levy <nlevy01@hotmail.com>

> I am a former board member of the NJCCR and now part of (Parents
> United for Equal Parenting), I would like to use my credit card for
> the press release and I would also make a $25.00 donation towards the
> $100.00 needed.
>
> I myself have spent time in jail during my 9 year Custody and Child
> Support battle and at one point I did not see my twins for almost 9
> months.

> I am also a Veteran, isn't it wonderful how they treat the people who
> protect their freedom.

--- Russ Githens <RGithens@brenntag.com>

> I want to voice my support for John.   Not sure what I can do from the 
> west coast, but please forward on my support to John in his stand against 
> the gross discrimination within the family court system.  I support his 
> efforts 110%

--- In newyorkcivilrightscouncil@yahoogroups.com, "Jim Hays"

> <dadlobby@...> wrote: August 9 is the "Free Disenfranchised Parents
> and John Murtari" protest in Syracuse and around the Globe
> www.FaFNY.org.  August 15 is "Child Excise Tax Free Day" and the
> "Little Protest Heard Round the World" at
> http://www.fafny.org/child_excise_tax_reform.htm.  I myself have been
> doing the "Child Excise Tax" protest mailings for many years now.

> People should feel free to combine these peaceful protests and apply
> as much effort as they can afford and don't limit yourself to just
> these days if you have the time, energy and resources.  FaFNY has
> additionally written a letter to the Judge requesting that John
> Murtari be freed and is sending it by fax to all NYS (and federal in
> NYS) gov't officials.

--- The following blurb appeared in Glenn Sacks' newsletter: 

> (www.glennsacks.com)

> Protest in Support of Jailed Father John Murtari

> John Murtari, loving father to his 13 year-old son Domenic, has
> refused food and water since his incarceration on July 31 for a
> questionable child support arrearage. John has fallen behind on his
> support for various reasons, some of them beyond his control. He has
> lost almost 20 pounds since his incarceration. I've read John's
> newsletter for the past several years, and while at times I've
> disagreed with his tactics, I do respect his courage, courteous manner
> and fighting spirit.

> Shared parenting activists are rallying in support of John at the
> Onondaga County Courthouse in Syracuse, New York on Wednesday, August 9.
> Teri Stoddard is coordinating the effort -- she can be reached at
> 877-635-1968 ex. 212 or at teri@akidsright.org.

> [On a side note, I'm a huge fan of Glenn Sacks. I truly believe that
> Glenn and John Murtari are doing more to help estranged and
> downtrodden single parents than any other single person out there. -
> Kevin Purdy]

--- Burnaby Batman <who_s_my_daddy2000@yahoo.ca>

> My thoughts and prayers are with John Murtari in his stand for
> justice. In my books he is the first USA superhero and a man I respect
> and admire greatly. When everyone else acted in anger and frustration,
> John acted in peace and love. Even those who have attacked John he has
> forgiven. In my books these are the characteristics of a true hero and
> John is one of mine.

> If this Bat was able I would be camped on top of the prison he is
> being held in in a second.

--- Kevin Purdy <webmaster@AKidsRight.Org>

> What John is doing is heroic by any definition of the word. He is
> risking his own health for a greater cause. If any of you are able to
> attend the "Day of Protest & Vigil" outside the Onondaga County
> Courthouse in Syracuse, NY, please do so. It will be held on August 9.
> I truly wish I could be there.

> Keep John in your hearts and prayers.

> And keep this in mind...

> How many of you, while you were going through the unjust and brutal
> family courts, wondered how such a system could exist; wished somebody
> had stood up for the rights of parents and children; cursed the system
> for being so cruel and heartless?

> Well John Murtari is doing something. He is doing more than most of
> the rest of us combined. Now he needs our support. He's gotten the
> ball rolling. Now it's up to us.

> Please help!!
> - Attend the August 9 Protest & Vigil
> - Write letters to newspapers
> - Help get media coverage
> - Get involved.
> - DO SOMETHING!!!

4. How you can help - contact the media and public officials.
--------------------------------------------------------------
We have contact information for various public officials below.
Please write them and let them know you care about this. John can also
use financial help with his Legal Defense, that info also follows.

The MESSAGE should not be one of anger, but merely to say to them, We
love our children.  We have been denied our rights. We need
Congressional hearings into reform.

Please ask the Federal and County Prosecutors to examine what is
happening here.

If you have ideas for publicity or other actions in support, please
contact both:
Terri Stoddard (PR Person):  teri@AKidsRight.Org
Kevin Purdy (Webmaster):  webmaster@AKidsRight.Org

To ask Judge Hedges to reduce Murtari's sentence, call or write:

Judge Bryan Hedges
Onondaga County Family Court
401 Montgomery Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 671-2040

To make monetary donations:
Donations to Murtari's legal fund:
Mr. Charles Keller Esq.
Att: Murtari Legal Defense
9416 Carousel Center Drive
Syracuse, New York 13290

Donations of $100 for press releases:
Call Teri Stoddard at 877-635-1968 ex. 212.

Other donations:
Kids-Right Support c/o Software Workshop Inc.
Att: Media Fund
55 E. Genesee Street
Baldwinsville, NY  13027

To contact public officials on Murtari's behalf:

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (up for election this year)
James M. Hanley Federal Building 100 South Clinton Street P.O. Box 7378
Syracuse, NY 13261-7378
Phone: 315-448-0470, Fax: 315-448-0476

Congressman James Walsh (up for election this year)
James M. Hanley Federal Building 100 South Clinton Street P.O. Box 7306
Syracuse, NY 13261-7306
Phone: 315-423-5657, Fax: 315-423-5669

US Attorney Glenn Suddaby 
P.O. Box 7198 100 South Clinton Street Syracuse, NY 13261-7198
Phone: 315-448-0672, Fax: 315-448-0689

Onondaga County DA Bill Fitzpatrick 
(John already sent Mr. Fitzpatrick a sworn complaint about 
attorney misconduct and perjury -- check 
http://www.AKidsRight.Org/support_jm.htm, for details on April 26, 2006.)
505 S. Salina Street Syracuse, NY 13202
Phone: 315-435-2470

To contact the media:

WHEC TV (NBC) -
Main Number:  585-546-5670
News Hot Line: 585-232-1010,
http://www.10nbc.com/contactus.asp

WHAM TV (ABC) -
Newsroom: 585-222-1313
Newsroom Hotline: 585-334-8743,
News Fax: 585-334-8719 yourstories@13wham.com
http://www.13wham.com/contactus

WROC TV (CBS) - News Tip Line: 585-224-8888,
http://www.wroctv.com/  Newsroom@wroctv.com

WUHF (FOX) - News Hotline: (585) 262-FOX1
News Fax: (585) 232-3005  http://www.foxrochester.co

WIXT/WSYR (ABC 9) - Your stories: yourstories@9wsyr.com
assignmentdesk@9wsyr.com
315-446-9900

WSTM (NBC 3/UPN 6) -
Newsroom: 315-477-9446
News Tips Line: 315-426-TIPS  news@wstm.com

WTVH (CBS 5) - http://www.wtvh.com/contactus/default.aspx
Main number: 315-425-5555

NEWS 10 NOW (24 Hour Local News) -
http://www.news10now.com/content/contact_us
News Tips Line 1-866-4NEWS10
News Fax Line 1-866-634-4270

WCNY (PBS 24) - http://www.wcny.org/contact
Main number: 315-453-2424

Post Standard - City Paper  315-470-0011
Local News: citynews@syracuse.com ,
Court news:   Jim O'Hara, 315-470-2260, johara@syracuse.com

Times of Wayne County - Local Paper (weekly)
waynetimes@aol.com
http://www.waynetimes.com/

Finger Lakes Times - Local Paper (daily)
Lyons Reporter: Jim Miller jmiller@fltimes.com
http://www.fltimes.com/

NY Law Journal (Newspaper)  212-779-9200

=======================================
Newsletter mailing list
Newsletter@kids-right.org  subscribe/unsubscribe info below:
http://kids-right.org/mailman/listinfo/newsletter