Men's Legal Defense Fund (MLDF)

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Meeting of CPF-The Fatherhood Coalition will be held at the Westborough Public Library, Westborough, MA on Dec. 13, 1pm. Directions to the library are here

Educational Outreach on Unconstitutional Domestic Violence Laws

On November 9, 16, 23 and 30, lunch time, 12:00 -1-1:30 pm, outside the offices of Jane Doe at 14 Beacon St., opposite the Massachusetts State House, we held signs and distributed literature to show our opposition to Jane Doe's promotion of domestic violence laws. If you or someone you know has been subject to the 209A RO and you would like to continue this outreach please let us know.

You can download literature "Fathers at Risk-Advice for Men on Preventing False Accusations of Domestic Abuse" (legal size, 4-panel/3-fold pamphlet) to distribute.



Founding Principles

It is agreed that men, fathers and their families are now commonly victims of discriminatory laws.

It is recognized that men and fathers and their supporters need to join together and engage in activities designed to ensure their legal rights under the US Constitution and bring about positive changes in both state and federal laws and policies.

Further, it is understood that some activities will likely involve acts of peaceful civil disobedience and result in the arrest of individual participants. A defense fund for those willing to place themselves in legal jeapardy is therefore required. For that purpose, the Men's Legal Defense Fund (MLDF) has been established.

Guidelines and Policy

The MLDF will provide financial support to individuals in those organizations and groups which undertake public acts of civil disobedience at events designed to influence public opinion and generate public support for policies beneficial to men and fathers.

This support will include but not be limited to provision of bail money required to ensure release from confinement of any participant in a public event described above prior to any court hearing and/or trial and for any fines associated with such event. Should funds be sufficient it may also include legal fees for attorney representation of any participants charged with an offense related to the public event.

Provision of money in the above regard shall normally require advance notice to the MLDF of the nature of the public event, the possible need for assistance from MLDF and a request that funds be made available if neccesary. If use of such funds are deemed appropriate and available MDLF shall make affirmative response to the event organizers as to the amount of funds available. Should no advance request be made to MLDF or no notification of fund availability by MLDF be provided to the event organizers the MLDF shall be under no obligation to provide fund assistance.

It shall be the policy of MLDF to financially support to the greatest extent possible all individuals who place themselves in legal risk at public events to promote the rights of men and fathers.

The decision to provide support will be made by the MLDF Advisory Committee.

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Here are a few of the many websites with information and perspective on the status of men in our society. If you would like to add another drop us an email.

On Dec. 17, 2008, the Massachusetts Governor's Council held its nomination hearing on the appointment of Kenneth King to be Associate Justice to the Middlesex Juvenile Court. The nominee was not questioned about the use of MGL 209A in the courts despite Mr. King's raising the issue himself in his discussion of past experience. Nor did the council examine Mr. King's relationship with the Greater Boston Legal Services (his past employer) and that agency's role in promoting the use of restraining orders in its clients' cases. Overall, the Council appeared to engage in more puffery and rubber stamping of still yet another judicial nominee.

On Dec.10, 2008 the Massachusetts Governor's Council held its nomination hearing on the appointment of Kenneth Fiandaca to be Associate Justice to the East Boston District Court. As in most nomination hearings there was a lot of puffery about the nominee's considerate affection for family, friends and co-workers but not much on judicial philosophy, especially regarding issues pertaining to men and fathers.

On Nov.19, 2008 the Massachusetts Governor's Council held its nomination hearing on the appointment of William Mazanec to be Associate Justice to the Greenfield District Court. In Part 5 of the videos, starting at 5:00 minutes, there is an exchange regarding the nominee's views on MGL 209A.

Earl Sholley (Republican and fathers rights activist), Barney Frank (Democrat) and Susan Allen (Independent), candidates for the 4th US Congressional District seat, held a debate on October 26, 2008 at Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Actor Alec Baldwin spoke in Boston September 25, 2008 on the problems faced by fathers and men in family courts and on parental alienation syndrome (PAS). See the video here.

On September 4, 2008 the Boston Chapter of The Fatherhood Coalition met with Fernando Merderos of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. Here is the video (7 Parts) of the first hour of the 2-hour meeting.

Please contact us with your questions, suggestions and ideas.

Men's Legal Defense Fund
2 Marlowe St.
Boston, Ma 02124
857 350-0575
Email: Men's Legal Defense Fund (MLDF)

MLDF is a privately sponsored organization not currently tax exempt. We expect support mainly from individual contributors, especially those who have fallen victim to the discriminatory laws first hand, have lost children and home as a result and who want to help prevent others from suffering the same fate. All contributions are welcome.

THE LONG ARM OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS

"If white man kill an Indian, it is murder far exceeding any crime upon record; he must not be tried in the county where he lives, or where the offence was committed, but in Philadelphia, that he may be tried, convicted, sentenced and hung without delay. If an Indian kill a white man, it was an act of an ignorant Heathen, perhaps in liquor; alas poor innocent! he is sent to the friendly indians that he may be made a Christian." (1763) Francis Parkman, The Conspiracy of the Pontiac

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