Fathers' rights group scale abbey

[Rob Layton]

Fathers' rights group scale abbey

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/london/4905836.stm


Protesters have scaled Westminster Abbey claiming fathers are being "crucified" by the courts over access to their children.
Two members of the group, called Real Fathers for Justice, climbed about 40ft up the abbey with a dummy on a cross.

A spokesman for the Abbey, one of the world's most famous churches, said he hoped it would not interfere with services over Easter.

The original Fathers 4 Justice group disbanded in January.

Police were called at 0900 BST to the abbey and were "attempting to bring this matter to a safe conclusion".

A spokesman for the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey said the protesters were 35ft up on a balcony on the West Tower.


We would be happy to listen to views presented in a calm and rational way
Westminster Abbey spokesman  

He added: "We understand and want to defend the right of legitimate protest, but would be disappointed if such a protest interfered with worship for thousands of members of the public over the holy week.

"On another occasion we would be happy to listen to views presented in a calm and rational way."

Services are going ahead, although access through the West Front is not possible while the protest continues.


They had Roman soldier costumes, but the police have snatched them
Protest group spokesman  

For three years the original Fathers 4 Justice group carried out audacious stunts to highlight the cause of men denied access to their children.

Protests included packages of purple flour hurled at Tony Blair in the Commons, and a man dressed as Batman staging a five-hour protest on a balcony at Buckingham Palace.

But it disbanded in January, following newspaper reports that fringe members were said to have talked about holding the prime minister's young son to highlight their cause.

It is thought Thursday's protest had been intended to be a costumed stunt.

A spokesman for Real Fathers for Justice said: "They had Roman soldier costumes, but the police have snatched them."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/london/4905836.stm

[Rob Layton]

Mr Kelly said Tory MP Ann Widdecombe, who has often spoken publicly about her Catholic faith, had climbed on to the balcony and met the men. "She gave a lot of support for the idea that fathers are denied access to their children, and has promised to make a statement about it over the next two weeks. She wanted them them to come down before the Easter parade came past," Kelly said.

Good for Ann Widdecombe - one of the very few decent politicians.
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http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/PA_NEWA18446561145019519A00?source=PA%20Feed

Abbey protest pair arrested
14 April 2006

Two fathers' rights campaigners who scaled Westminster Abbey have been arrested by police.  

The men were arrested at the historic London landmark's West Tower, after spending the night on a balcony, a Scotland Yard spokeswoman said.  

  The pair climbed the building on Thursday morning with a dummy on a cross to signify that fathers were being "crucified" by current family law. The spokeswoman said they were being taken to a central London police station.  

Scotland Yard said the pair, members of the Real Fathers For Justice group, had been arrested for "aggravated trespass". "We did not force them down," she added. "They came down of their own accord."

The protesters had claimed they targeted the Abbey in a bid to alert the church to the plight of fathers. They gained access to the balcony, thought to be up to 60ft high, by pretending to be workmen and unveiled a banner with the slogan: "Crucified by the state, ignored by the church".  

Mike Kelly, spokesman for Real Fathers for Justice, said the protesters were Simon Anderton, 47, and Paul Addison, 39.  

Anderton is apparently suffering from liver cancer, and has not seen his two young daughters for five years. Addison has a 15-year-old daughter he has not seen for four years.  

Mr Kelly said Tory MP Ann Widdecombe, who has often spoken publicly about her Catholic faith, had climbed on to the balcony and met the men. "She gave a lot of support for the idea that fathers are denied access to their children, and has promised to make a statement about it over the next two weeks. She wanted them them to come down before the Easter parade came past," Kelly said.  

The pair left the balcony of their own choice after staging a mock crucifixion at around midday, according to Mr Kelly. They were arrested immediately.  

The original Fathers 4 Justice campaign disbanded after reports linked it to an alleged plan to kidnap Prime Minister Tony Blair's son Leo.

[Sir Percy]

We would be happy to listen to views presented in a calm and rational way, (said) Westminster Abbey spokesman

He added: "We understand and want to defend the right of legitimate protest, but would be disappointed if such a protest interfered with worship for thousands of members of the public over the holy week.

The members of the Sanhedrin made the same sort of comments at the Crucifixion of Christ. " We don't mind if it takes place on friday just as long as it doesn't interfere with the sabbath and the ceremonies where everyone has to give us money".

Well done lads.