Woman Spends Thanksgiving On Billboard
Shelly Barreras says sometimes you have to do whatever it takes, in a peaceful way, to get results, especially when you’re dealing with government.
New Mexico Governor Richardson has apparently reneged on a promise to help the Barreras family recover $15,000 collected by the state as child support from Steve Barreras, for a child that never existed.
At half-past four Thursday morning Barreras climbed a ladder to her perch above I-40 to hang a large banner. Emergency vehicles and crews from three television stations arrived and the roads were closed.
VIDEO: Barreras planned on spending four days atop the billboard at I-40 and University in Albuquerque, until Clear Channel Outdoor – Global Outdoor Advertising representatives offered a venue for her issues in exchange for her descent. She agreed to come down after 10 hours and 30 minutes, and was not arrested.
“I didn’t just do this for my family,” Barreras explained, “I did it for all the families in this country who are suffering with family law and child support issues. The whole system needs to be demolished and rebuilt.”
“I thought of John Murtari in New York, who’s endured over 100 days without solid food for parents’ rights. His non-violent peaceful protest inspired me to do whatever I could to bring attention to the issue of family law reform,” Barreras said, “We definately need immediate Congressional Hearings.
“If anyone needs help, wants to help, or wants more information, tell them to write to americanparentsfamilylawreview@gmail.com,” she continued, “We’ll try to put them in contact with others in the same state.”
A meeting to finalize the agreement with Clear Channel Outdoor is scheduled for Monday.
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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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November 25th, 2006 at 7:31 am
[...] New Mexico Governor Richardson has apparently reneged on a promise to help the Barreras family recover $15,000 collected by the state as child support from Steve Barreras, for a child that never existed. more… [...]
November 25th, 2006 at 7:56 am
The Governor promised ‘to help’. Politicians – Lying bastards. They need help to take a piss. Well done this courageous woman. More civil protest is needed. The dam wall is breaking. The trickle will turn into a flood. Murtani – and F4J – examples are showing just how to do it.
November 25th, 2006 at 8:08 am
Good for her and thanks Teri for bringing it to light…
TMOTS
November 25th, 2006 at 4:48 pm
Excellent job, Shelly Barreras!
I suggest you do one addittional thing:
Scream for the enforcement of the Peonage Law!
November 27th, 2006 at 6:08 am
This family court injustice is so pervasive (paternity fraud, child support level that is not based on economically sound guideline, sole custody to almost always to the mother even though the father is equally fit and willing to be a parent, etc), it makes me wonder why there are not more of us doing this kind of protest. Surely there are more Shelley Barreras’ and John Murtaris in our midst. I am doing my own here in Walker County, Texas: http://www.kbtx.com/news/headlines/1608982.html
TO ALL OF YOU (VICTIMS, FAMILY, FRIENDS): If we don’t act now, when? If not us, who?