F4J dads consider motorway disruption

Protesters from Fathers 4 Justice could disrupt traffic on the M4 and M5 as part of a nationwide civil disruption campaign this Christmas. The plan is one of those under consideration when F4J co-ordinators from across the UK meet in Shropshire this weekend to finalise plans for their campaign

Negotiations with Scotland Yard over an official Christmas demonstration have broken down.

The national F4J leadership says action could involve hundreds of members dressed as Father Christmas in "Santa sit-in" protests on the M25, M1, M6 and on the Dartford Crossing on December 18, the Saturday before Christmas.

Members of the Bristol branch of the group could also take part in a demonstration on the M4 and M5 if the day of action were to go ahead.
F4J said the protests would be the largest act of civil disobedience ever undertaken at Christmas to highlight the plight of dads denied access to their kids.

Jeff Skinner, Bristol F4J co-ordinator, said: "A representative from the Bristol group will be going to the meeting this weekend to discuss plans. We did talk about the possibility of demonstrating on the M4 and M5. But at the moment we're not sure if this will take place.

"We feel Tony Blair needs to listen not only to us but to the thousands of ordinary people who have agreed that a change in family law is needed." F4J founder Matt O'Connor said: "The meeting this weekend will involve planning of our next high-profile demonstration. They will, if successful, overshadow anything we have done before.

"It will have mums and dads across the country discussing one thing over their turkey and sprouts - Fathers 4 Justice and the children denied access to their dads this Christmas.

"Regrettably we have been unable to reach an agreement with the Met Police with regard to our main demonstration on December 18, so have pressed ahead with our own plans regardless of the consequences."