May 19th, 2008 by Ray Blumhorst

May 2008 marked the one-year anniversary of Fathers4Justice (F4J) and the National Coalition of Free Men, Los Angeles (NCFMLA) holding rallies in the Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park. During that one-year period, only one rally (January) was cancelled, due to heavy rain. Last May 2007, some people now living in Los Angeles weren’t even born. A little, eight-month-old girl who attended our May ’08 celebration is shown in one photo, being held in her Daddy’s arms.

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Near record heat marked the May ‘08 celebration, but the shade of the big trees offered a welcome respite from the heat and an ideal place to fire up the “ole barbee.”

As has been the case throughout this past year, lots of folks stopped by to talk, or have a soft drink and a bite to eat.  Most notable of those in attendance:

#  (As mentioned previously) a little eight month old girl and her Daddy.

#  A Los Angeles County District Attorney, running for a Judge’s Office in the June election, stopped by unannounced to solicit our votes. “I’m with you guys,” he said. “I almost got divorced a few years back and it was a real eye opener,” he said. Given the candidates openness, we took the opportunity to explain some of the issues that Dads and men are encountering in Los Angeles County.

#  A noted Beverly Hills family law attorney also attended and shared some of his experiences and insights. He’d heard our past NCFMLA President on the Tom Leykis show this past week and wanted to help. He expressed an interest in educating men, especially young men, to the realities of family law situations “before” they find themselves disadvantaged and shortchanged in the system.

One woman came in off the street to assert to us how she was out hundreds of thousands of dollars, because of the family law system. Our F4JLA President discussed with her how family law is shortchanging many parents who enter that system. The woman stood by the table that had the parental alienation literature. We hope she had a chance to see that material, which supports opposition to all forms of parental alienation of children. At the least, she left with a knowledge that Fathers, and men, have valid, cogent, perspectives about family law issues. She appeared to be more than a little surprised to see our willingness to proclaim our perspectives publicly.

A lot of folks liked the free buttons we were passing out, and took several for themselves, their relatives, and friends. “My brother is having a terrible time and needs a group like this,” one man told us. His story was all too familiar for anyone having heard the experiences of Fathers and men in family courts. “Keep up the good work,” the man said over his shoulder as he walked away.

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F4JLA and NCFMLA are dedicated to continuing their activism, and the building of the Fathers’ and men’s movement in Los Angeles County.

Though the hot days of summer are just beginning, dedicated members of F4JLA and NCFMLA are looking forward to outdoor fun, good food, fellowship, and activism in the months ahead. This past year has been an educational experience for our members as well as the public. With continued effort, and growth, we look forward to an even better year to come.