19.Jun.2010 This and That: Mother’s Day Vigil and a Dangerous Bill Needs Our Focus
From our friend Connie in California:
Dear Friends, Here is an update on our activities. We will be sending alerts for legislative letters during the next week or two.
Best, Connie
1. The Mother’s Day vigil at the White House on May 9, 2010 was very successful! It was inspiring to see so many mothers and supporters gathered – estimates are between 100 and 200 people. After the silent vigil and speak out, there was a wonderful parade down 17th Avenue and back. Several television stations covered the event. We are also working on a mini-documentary. Here are some great clips made by attendees and others.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GUt0KndjUI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESMcMIIjAHI&feature=fvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxRm7_faGto&feature=player_embedded
Several of us stayed for the month, going out nearly every day with the banner to stand vigil in front of the White House like the suffragists 100 years ago. Foreign press and tourists were quite interested in these horrendous United States human rights violations. We also met with with Congressional staff regarding having Congressional hearings. We’re planning another action at the White House, so stay tuned.
2. Quick action needed: Please fax a letter today to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at 916-558-3160 and/or email him at http://gov.ca.gov/interact#email and/or call him at 916-445-2841. Ask him to veto SB 1253. It started out a good bill, but became dangerous in amendments that would allow judges discretion to place a sex offender on probation in the victim’s home if the judge thinks it is ok! http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/sen/sb_1251-1300/sb_1253_bill_20100617_enrolled.html
SAMPLE LETTER
The Honorable Arnold Schwarznegger FAX 916-558-3160
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: SB 1253 (Strickland), Probation: sex offenders VETO
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:
We strongly urge you to VETO SB 1253 (Strickland). It endangers children by allowing judicial discretion to place a sex offender on probation in the home of the victim. The best interest for a victim is to be safe and free from sex abuse. This can only occur when the perpetrator is unable to gain access to the victim under any circumstance. The best interest standard is designed to keep victims safe. This bill wrongly discriminates against a child victim whose perpetrator is a household member by treating that situation differently from a child victim abused by a non-household member. The first victim could, in fact, be placed in far greater jeopardy due to this discriminatory language. There is no possible reason that a perpetrator residing close to the victim would be in the best interest of the victim. These amendments would create statutory discretion about placement of convicted sex offenders. The amendments appear to be developed by protectors of pedophiles rather than children. Please VETO SB 1253 as amended. It is very dangerous for children.
3. Great news! A very bad judge was voted off the bench by the teamwork of a few good men and women. http://www.lemkaumustgo.com/
4. Please take a minute to sign the petition by the National Association to Protect Children. President Obama and Congress are called to take action against hundreds of thousands of Internet predators known to the Justice Department. A large percentage of these criminals are hands-on predators, with local child victims. http://www.protect.org/childrescuepetition
5. Another good petition which is focused on family court: http://www.petition2congress.com/2/2386
6. Therapist’s arrest may mean a review of cases.
http://www.timesunion.com/ASPStories/Story.asp?StoryID=939611&LinkFrom=RSS
7. Annual ritual abuse conference will be held in Massachusetts: http://ritualabuse.us/smart-conference/
