U.S. Newswire/ -- Angelo Lobo, producer of "Support? System Down" will be arriving in Syracuse today, Nov. 16, to film John Murtari, founder of AKidsRight.org, in the Onondaga County Justice Center, on his 108th day with no solid food.

"John's story is special in that he has taken a stand against a system that desperately needs reform, on a national level," said Lobo, "He is a voice for thousands who are being incarcerated against their constitutional rights."

Murtari, 50, an Air Force Academy graduate, was sentenced to six months incarceration for willful failure to pay child support, a charge he disputes. Inspired by Gandhi, Murtari started the parents' organization AKidsRight.org and has been advocating for a Family Rights Act.

"The child support system is broken; their information is too frequently not accurate or complete," said Jane Spies of the National Family Justice Association. "If an honorable man like John can get locked up, anyone can," she continued, "How does this help his son? Why does his son have to suffer the loss of a loving father?"

Murtari urges parents who want change in family law to demonstrate faith, love and personal sacrifice, and to participate in peaceful protest. He once climbed the art structure in front of the Federal Building and displayed a large banner in his quest to get a meeting with Senator Clinton. Murtari stopped eating July 31, the day he reported to jail. "John is a hero to parents around the world," said Spies.

Lobo has interviewed parents across the country who have said it's time for change in family law. "This is the new civil rights movement," said Teri Stoddard, "Parents are demanding truth, justice and equality. They want their constitutional rights upheld."

Murtari will be released on Dec. 1, and his first priority, is visiting his son.

by Teri Stoddard

Murtari didn’t get the early release he asked for.  He didn’t get any of the things he asked for.  But the day may not have been without progress.  In a recent email he states:

My attorney told me the judge stated a couple of times that this case should have never been tried in Onondaga County, which is where Syracuse is located…My attorney thought that was ironic since we have been trying to tell them the venue for this case was wrong ever since the beginning. . . . On Monday my attorney had faxed a letter to the judge regarding the status of negotiations…in the final paragraph he asked the Court to arrange to have me transported from the jail to the courthouse on Tuesday. When my attorney did not see me at the courthouse Tuesday he asked the judge why they didn’t get the transport request in his letter.  He was told they didn’t read that far down. . . . Our chance of winning on appeal looks a lot better based on what the judge said.

Murtari should be released December 1, 2006.

Mr. Keller appeared in front of Judge Hedges this morning asking for a reduced sentence. It seemed as though Hedges was leaning towards letting John go free, until the other attorney strongly objected. In the end, Hedges said he's withholding his final judgment until October 24 at 9 am when everyone will meet again, including John. Hedges said, "I'd really like to see this negotiated." He wants both sides to come to a settlement.

John would like your input. What would be a fair offer? Here are some facts to consider:

John wants to get out to see Domenic right away, but he only has 40 days left to serve.

He wants everyone to remember the reason he's doing this act of non-cooperation is because he does not agree that he owes the $60,000 in child support. His child support was calculated using imputed income. And in order to stay in his son's life after the courts allowed Dom's mother to move him across the country, he's spent more on airfare than what they say he owes in support. He does not want to take any settlement that does not respect his principles.

John wants the support and arrears recalculated using his true income and he wants his travel expenses counted.

John has a business idea that could result in an increase in his income. In order to get out of jail now, he could offer to pay $40-60,000 by September of next year if his income does go up. He would do this out of generosity, not because he agrees that he owes this in child support. He's concerned this will look like he's going against his principles.

It's on record that Domenic said he wants to live with John. John could ask that he get custody of Domenic immediately, and he'd raise him without any child support from Dom's mother. They could use the forfeited child support amount to reduce his "bill" each month.

John could offer to withdraw the appeal, which would save Dom's mother attorney fees.

Mr. Keller filed a well-written 50-page brief when he asked for the stay. It was denied. Keller feels continuing with the appeal could be fruitless and expensive. They don't have a good record, the venue issue was shut down, and they don't have enough money donated to follow through. He's suggested to John to consider withdrawing the

appeal.

John still owes Mr. Keller thousands of dollars, but he wants me to let you know that if they withdraw the appeal, anyone who has donated money towards the legal fees could contact me to get a confidential refund.

I called to thank them and the woman who answered the phone sounded delighted. Feel free to thank them yourselves! (1-866-4NEWS10).

Here's a link to the audio version of the interview. I'm not sure how long the video will be on News10Now. You can listen to the audio and even download it with this link:

Doctors removed John's feeding tube Monday so his throat could heal and he could get some sleep. Wednesday the plan to reinsert it was changed because he was no longer dehydrated. They wanted him to eat on his own, or at least to just be on a liquid diet. John declined, saying he's starting over, no food or water at all, except a small amount of water to keep his mouth moist. His health is expected to decline more rapidly than the first time since he's starting out in poor health, and it is.

When John called me this morning it was obvious he's already feeling the effects of dehydration. He lost his train-of-thought a couple of times. At least this time he remembered after a moment. A few days ago John weighed around 145 lbs. Today he weighs 136. His blood sugar is 60, which is borderline. He plans on conserving his energy over the weekend. I don't expect to hear from him again until Monday, which concerns me considering how quickly his health is declining.

First and foremost he wants me to thank all of you for your support. It means so much to him. John is praying at least 3 times a day and says it's his faith that gives him the courage to follow his convictions. He says he appreciates your prayers and letters very much. (Please keep the letters coming.) He also wants me to remind everyone to be kind when acting on his behalf. He wants us to criticize the system, not individuals.

John is happy about the coverage we've gotten. He'd like you to thank the reporters, editors and/or producers.

John's attorney, Charles Keller, visited him in jail. He told John that Judge Hedges made it clear he would not allow John to appear in front of him again, that John's only choices were to accept probation or do the time. Mr. Keller expects to appear in front of an appellate judge early next week. He's going to ask for a stay which would get John out of jail. John would appreciate donations to cover the paperwork. Mr. Keller has received over $300, but we need $400. Thank you to those who've donated!

Mr. Charles Keller Esq., Att: Murtari Legal Defense, 9416 Carousel Center Drive, Syracuse, New York 13290

by Teri Stoddard

John Murtari says he feels better this morning after a night of restful sleep. The feeding tube that’s been keeping him alive was removed yesterday and the plan is to reinsert it tomorrow. “It’s been difficult sleeping,” he said, “I’ve been very uncomfortable. It’s great getting a whole night’s sleep.” When asked about staying hydrated while the tube is out he responded, “I’ve been drinking a little juice each morning, and a little milk each evening, and I’ll continue to do that, as well as drink some water.”

Murtari, 49, hasn’t had solid food since July 31 when he reported to jail to serve a 6-month sentence for “willful” failure to pay his $60,000 child support arrears, a charge he says in unjust. He has been paying what he can afford, he claims, and says the $60,000 it has cost him to stay in his son’s life isn’t being taken into acount.

Domenic, Murtari’s 13-year-old son, was moved across the country by his mother after the divorce, something Murtari tried to stop. Murtari visits him four times a year and brings him back to New York for visits twice a year. “Those airline flights are expensive,” he says.

Having only consumed 30 ounces of water in 10 days, then 2 nutritional supplements the day he was given the feeding tube, Murtari had experienced low blood pressure, a rapid and irregular heartbeat, tremors, loss of over 25 lbs. and was starting to have trouble finishing sentences.

Jail personnel told Murtari it was his choice to starve to death, and they would not intervene. After local newspapers published articles on his situation, he was finally given the nasogastric feeding tube.

I have followed John Murtari's campaign to be a loving father to his child for several years now. He is a man of exemplary behaviour ethics and morals.

The appalling treatment and abuse of John and his child by the American authorities is being watched in disbelief around the world.

This is by no means an individual case, either. If the truth were known, millions of children are being abused in the United States by family law. This is mirrored by most feminized countries in the world.

Syracuse, the world is watching American justice. Land of the free? (Until you want to be a father to your child)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Robert Gartner, Houston, Texas

I want to thank The Post-Standard for raising its readers' awareness by publishing the article on Aug. 10 about jailed activist John Murtari.

Whether John survives the six months imposed upon him or not, as he lost 18 pounds in the first eight days and is diabetic, he will be remembered as a hero among activists for simply equal rights and fairness where the custody and care of parent's children are concerned, and the equality of those affected parents.

What is happening in this country is criminal. The government is leading the way to the social destruction of the family. John has laid his life on the line to bring bureaucrats out of their half-conscious minds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don Mathis, Sherman, Texas

My heart goes out to that man on a hunger strike in Syracuse. There are a multitude of injustices in the child-support industry, and John Murtari is the victim of many.

Regardless if both parents are fit, courts routinely assign primary custody to one, usually the mother. Regardless if both parents work, courts usually order fathers to pay child support.

And it goes without saying that the "winner" in custody cases gets the child - and child support. But the father is not the only loser in such court action. Kids lose loving dads in practically every custody decision.

Many believe the assumption that the mothers get the kids in custody cases may account for many divorces. They could be right. More than 65 percent of divorce cases are filed by women.

Laws need to be changed to start off with a presumption of 50/50 shared parenting. Then, if a mom or dad doesn't want their share, they can pay child support. Fifty-fifty shared parenting is true child support.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

George Kenner, La Mesa, Calif.

Your story about John Murati, although very good, could have been better. I am especially surprised that his elected official will not discuss the issue with him.

Instead, Hillary Clinton tried to have him charged with stalking because he left messages to her written in chalk outside of her office. If anyone is a crackpot, it is Hillary.

One of the reasons I write to you is that this story is of course of interest far and wide. I am in California and following this story very carefully.

Easily proven facts about Mr. Murtari's background make him not only a person to not to be dismissed, but a person to be respected.

I look forward to your continued coverage on this issue. I would be especially interested in what Hillary has to say. Do you have to be a multimillion-dollar lobbyist or a reporter who will only report favorable viewpoints for her to speak?

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