Devoted and loving father John Murtari received a feeding tube today, and says he’s relieved. Murtari, founder of A Kids Right, is carrying through with his passive resistence of not eating or drinking to highlight the need for family law reform, the civil rights of noncustodial parents and equal parenting.
Murtari’s health started to deteriorate soon after he turned himself into the Jamesville Correctional Facility in New York July 31. He lost twenty-eight pounds in 9 days, had such low blood pressure the medical personnel couldn’t get a diastolic reading, had uncontrollable shakes, and was starting to have trouble finishing a sentence. He agreed to cooperate with the doctors when he was told they’d be giving him a feeding tube, so he’s had approximately 30 ounces of water and 2 nutritional supplements since he was moved to the Onondaga County Justice Center August 3rd.
Murtari has been charged with willful failure to pay child support, even though he says he’s been paying as much as he can afford. His child support order was calculated by using the salary of a previous job, at twice the income he makes now.
This practice of imputing income has thrown many noncustodial parents into arrears, threatening their drivers’ and business licenses, and their freedom, like in Murtari’s case. What was once created to protect the children of “deadbeat” parents is now turning average people; normal, loving, responsible, law-abiding parents of both genders, into criminals.
A rally was held in front of the Onondaga County Courthouse yesterday on the International Day of Demonstration for John Murtari and Equal Parenting. Demonstrators came from as far away as Canada, and from all over New York.
Kris Titus of Fathers4Justice/Canada was dressed as Wonder Woman and Jim Hayes of Fathers and Families New York was dressed as “the elephant in the room.” Joel Benjamin, member of Fathers4Justice/USA, Tammy Bowman, member of the New York Civil Rights Council, Guy Lavigne of Fathers4Justice/Canada, Jennifer Kuhn of the National Coalition of Free Men/Greater New York, Mark Young of Exiled Fathers/Virginia and Chris Shaw of the Children Equal Parenting Association of Canada were also present. Several television crews stopped by and interviewed participants, and two articles have been published in newspapers. (links below)
In a show of support for Murtari and Equal Parenting, photos have been sent to the Purple Ribbon Campaign from all over the world. (Purple is known as the color of equality.) Family law reform advocacy, and activism, is occurring in dozens of countries, where a common phrase is, “The best parent is both parents.”
Post Standard – August 10 – Jailed Activist Refusing Food
Finger Lake Times – August 10 – Lyons Man Refuses Food, Water