Prison Break-in Averted: Real Fathers For Justice Downes Free, Photos
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A prison break-in was averted when Mike Downes was sentenced to a community punishment order and five-year Asbo (Anti-Social Behaviour Order) instead of incarceration at Trafford Magistrates’ Court today.
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Downes, 44, now known as a “serial egger” has participated in several family law reform protests in the UK with the group Real Fathers For Justice. Today was the sixth time he’s been sentenced for his activism, this time for smashing two eggs on the head of then education secretary Ruth Kelly back in February.
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About 30 supporters, many of them wearing purple Real Fathers For Justice t-shirts, joined Downes for a pre-sentencing meal and met him as he exited the court. Several people had purple faces and 3 men dressed as “Speak no Evil”, “Hear no Evil” and “See no Evidence” monkeys.
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Downes told fellow campaigners, supporters and media that he will continue his work with the group Real Fathers For Justice. As he ripped up the Asbo and threw it to the ground he said, “I am proud of what I have done. I think we need to be a bit more controversial, more confrontational.”
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Anyone wishing to donate towards Mikes fine and costs, please contact Pete Molloy: pete.molloy@blueyonder.co.uk
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Downes on Manchester Evening News 8/15 (video)
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Guardian Unlimited 8/15 (article)
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I'm a sun and nature loving, 50-something, laid back, forward thinking, liberal anti-feminist egalitarian, san francisco bay area native, single mom of 4 and yia yia to 2. I've been active in the equal parenting movement since 2002. Known as the purple Queen of Equality, I once blogged as the Feminist4Fathers. Find me now on sharedparentingworks.org and jugsforjustice.org. | More from Teri Stoddard
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August 15th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
This is certainly one of the most colorful protests yet – great costuming. I’m sure it was a lot of work. It certainly got my attention. Was the serial egger having a meal of eggs before sentencing? I couldn’t really tell what he was eating. Whatever, it appears he has survived to protest another day. Way to go. Real F4J rocks!
I did think the comparison of monkeys to family law judges was a cheap shot at monkeys.