For the sixth (6th) month in a row Fathers 4 Justice and the National Coalition of Free Men, Los Angeles conducted a rally-picnic in the Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park. Each event has been unique and today was no exception.After a brutal week of wild fires, smoke filled skies and very unhealthy air quality, the clear, sunny, warm weather made today a great day to be outdoors. Seeing blue sky again, instead of an orange haze, seemed to make everyone appreciative that the wildfires had abated and that the beautiful days of autumn were again in the air.As set up for our rally-picnic began in the cool hours of early morning, it was decided that the location of the signs on the tents would be rearranged so people who routinely drive a given route past the park would get a different message to view. One sign I purposefully picked to be visible along Hazeltine Ave. was, “A FATHER’S LOVE IS IRREPLACEABLE.” About and hour or two into our official start up time, a woman from across the street on Hazeltine Ave. came by and requested information about our organizations. She conveyed to us that her son sees our monthly set ups and it makes him sad, because he thinks of his Daddy and misses him. I expressed my sincere compassion for her son, his Dad and her, and told her it was our wish (and goal), that children should not be absent from involvement in any fit parents life. I expressed to her that we were working hard to restore an honoring of Fathers as well as Mothers to societies mindset. She appeared appreciative of our work and after a good half hour of conversation with various members of our team, wished us well.
Once again, a steady stream of new people visited our booths and fervently discussed parenting issues (and other issues) with our team. Our list of contacts grew significantly (again), and contacts from previous months stopped by throughout the day, just to say “hello,” or ask questions about their ongoing situations.
Of course, what would a day of activism be without at least one skeptic? One visitor during the day questioned our successes. We told him, our successes were modest, but not insignificant, in light of the substantial obstacles we face. He retorted that he doubted the degree of our successes and said he didn’t believe we could fight city hall. I opined to him that I believed he was mistaken and pointed out to him that “we the people” are the government. “The change has already begun,” I said. “Join us and be apart of it so it will happen sooner of just stand and watch while we continue. Either way, we will not be deterred,” I concluded.
Next month, Sunday, November 25th, from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. we will again be conducting our rally-picnic. We will be continuing our work of educating the pubic to the importance of Fatherhood, as well as the negative forces that are presently at work undermining Fatherhood.
When our two groups began their collaborative work in our community, we had accomplished nothing together. Now we have a recurring presence in the community, with lots of people commenting favorably on our repeat showings at our favorite street corner. I suspect many more people see us as they drive by who say nothing, but possibly, they are forming an awareness that Fathers 4 Justice and the National Coalition of Free Men, L.A. are very serious about the words they have written on all those signs they display.
As often happens, one person showed up after we were all packed up, but we welcome those kinds of “additional opportunities.” Not to be deterred, we dug out our flyers, exchanged contact info and invited the gentleman to join us next month - Sunday, November 25, 2007 at the corner of Hazeltine and Huston (SE corner of the park).
The presence of Fathers 4 Justice and the Coalition of Free Men is clearly growing in the Los Angeles County Community, with each new person we meet.
2 Responses
Very well written Ray. I am very proud of your tireless work, and undying loyalty to our cause. Sincerely, William Roark
Posted on November 29th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Keep up the great work. Looking forward to the next event.
Sincerely,
Paul E. Sielski Sr.
Posted on January 7th, 2008 at 11:01 am
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