Man circles courthouse with cross to advocate for fathers' rights

[frostyboy]

From The Journal Times:

Man circles courthouse with cross to advocate for fathers' rights

Ricardo Martinez had a heavy load as he walked around the Racine County Courthouse this week.

The 33-year-old Racine man moved slowly and it was no wonder given the 12-foot tall wooden cross he carried on his shoulder, dragging one end along the sidewalk.

"It's very heavy," Martinez said of his large homemade cross, made complete with a rope tying the beams together and nails bolted to the sides. Martinez said he spent a few hours each day this week walking with his cross along the four-block perimeter of the court house, at 730 Washington Ave., as a way to advocate for the rights of fathers in divorce and child custody cases.

"It's to show how far the system and women will go to keep your kids from you," he said.

When Martinez and his now ex-wife divorced, joint custody of the couple's six- and seven-year-old sons was granted, he said, adding that means he sees his boys Wednesdays and some weekends, an amount of time he says is not nearly enough. That's why he walks.

"I'd rather be at home with my sons enjoying them," he said. "I've already missed ... years of their lives."

Martinez said he knows his walking won't change his case but hopes he raises some awareness that fathers deserve to see their kids and that, in some cases, dads may be fit to get custody of their children. He picked the courthouse to walk around because that's where family court is held, he said.

Martinez said he carries the cross to generate more attention and to symbolize his plight: As people hurt Christ he too has been hurt and as Christ died for his children Martinez too would do anything for his, he said.

"The question isn't what will he do for his children," reads the back of a homemade sign Martinez wore as he walked. "The question is what wouldn't he do for his children."

Passersby looked at Martinez, many craning their necks over their shoulders as he passed. Martinez said some are cruel, telling him to get a life and a job - he's currently looking for one - while others show support. One man told Martinez of his similar child custody case while some police officers have told Martinez they're glad he's standing up for his kids, Martinez said.

"It's hard not to look and wonder," said passerby Ben Johnston-Krase, 39, of Racine, pastor at First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Ave. right across from where Martinez walks. When Johnson heard Martinez was carrying the cross for fathers' rights, he looked thoughtful.

"I thought it was a Lenten display like carrying a cross and being mindful of the season," he said, adding Martinez shows that you never really know a person's story until you stop and ask.

[Percy]

Good for him. Courageous man.

Looks like someone has been doing 'wheelies' on a tractor. I hope that was in support.

[johnkimble1]

Interesting and useful concept, though I think the F4J theme of superhero dads is a more effective and more relevant message.

Generally it's best not to mix religion with politics, though ti might be a useful method of protesting against the church's failure to speak out on behalf of children and their fathers.

[Garak]

Interesting and useful concept, though I think the F4J theme of superhero dads is a more effective and more relevant message.

Generally it's best not to mix religion with politics, though ti might be a useful method of protesting against the church's failure to speak out on behalf of children and their fathers.

Mixing religion with politics is no better or worse than mixing comic books with politics.

Unless you can show me otherwise. I applaud this man and YES, churches should be paying attention to this as well.

[shaazam]

"""It's very heavy," Martinez said of his large homemade cross,..."""

it must be !! but of course not as heavy as the peonage yoke
the star chamber imposts on the neck of sincere fathers every day of the week

somehow young men must be educated about the new age
Marriage Contract - as a potential contract for a dead loss of his kids his assets and his future earnings

wimyn like to choose and to opt out of any boring contractual obligations ! obligations hahahhahahahhhahahh

wimyn love contractual obligations -- it gives em a target to shit on

[Celtic Druid]

Martinez said he knows his walking won't change his case but hopes he raises some awareness that fathers deserve to see their kids and that, in some cases, dads may be fit to get custody of their children.

Even though this fellow knows the futility of his efforts not benefitting himself, he continues so that other fathers may benefit. That's very admirable and he's a credit to the cause.

[Zuberi]

Generally it's best not to mix religion with politics, though ti might be a useful method of protesting against the church's failure to speak out on behalf of children and their fathers.

You're right, it's not good to mix church with the state but the Catholics never got the memo!

[MikeT]

A true activist, I take my hat off to him.
Make your presence known.

[paul parmenter]

A true activist, I take my hat off to him.
Make your presence known.

Exactly so. One brave man refusing to take it lying down. Now just imagine what effect could be achieved if every man who had been screwed in that court did the same. Together with those members of their families who support them. They could no doubt keep the place permanently surrounded with crosses maybe several layers deep so nobody could get in or out without getting the message. A few more around the homes of the judges who ply their dirty trade there would also be very useful.

That would make everyone think about why it was happening.

[pip elliot]

If things were that bad, surely this sort of protest would happen much more often?