Administrator ‘s note: Leon has been in Charleston, South Carolina this past week promoting fathers rights and racial justice in our family courts emanating from the Walter Scott murder. He’s been making headway at numerous events, becoming known among community leaders and protesters on a broad spectrum of attendees. Here’s what he’s reporting today:

The Los Angeles Times refers to him as the popular South Carolina mayor who’s weathered the storm over the police killing of an unarmed African-American father fleeing from a child support warrant. And I had a chance to meet him personally after sharing my purpose for being in his city.

His name is Keith Summey and he was  accompanied by a very personable and helpful assistant who listened intently to my own ordeals as a fathers  rights advocate. Later I participated in another media session outside the church in North Charleston after hearing a riveting sermon by Reverend Al Sharpton. Don’t ask how I managed to get in, but the kind ushers I’ve come to know at various events helped out.

Here the people have been remarkably kind, compassionate and even cheerful. They have welcomed me with open arms during these trying times. And you have to hand it to Al Sharpton, he really knows how to get a crowd going in so many ways. From passionate sermonizing to stand-up comedy, Reverend Sharpton had everyone laughing and loving one another by the time of benediction.

Outside, it was back to business as Mayor Summey gave an update short of disclosing details of ongoing investigations. A civil rights lawsuit has already been filed of the kind I routinely prosecuted back in New York. I have been invited to join a congregation which is sponsoring a candlelight vigil at the scene of the Walter Scott shooting made infamous by that shocking video seen around the world.

Last night I spoke with leaders who sponsored a protest inside North Charleston City Hall. I’ve been handing out my 25-page report released last month entitled “We Are Fathers.” In it, I predicted continued violence and victimization among minority fathers due to a broad failure of our family courts and federal government to recall and reform draconian support enforcement practices. I also predicted that it would place law enforcement in harm’s way.

You don’t take a child away from its parents without proper cause. Support debts are not a valid cause, and you don’t come between a father and his children without risking serious emotional reactions. I shared my report with Fox News and other media on the scene of these daily events. Excerpts of that report have been published at Leon Koziol.com in a series entitled “King’s Chronicles.” Stay tuned for more updates to include a mass protest at City Hall tomorrow which was announced only moments ago.

Dr. Leon R. Koziol

Civil Rights Advocate

(315) 796-4000

See what Charleston media is saying:http://www.postandcourier.com/

Lauren Sausser of the Post & Courier describes the constant threat of incarceration that non-custodial fathers know all to0 well: http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20150410/PC16/150419851

Christopher Mathias of the Huffington Post says: One-Eighth Of South Carolina Inmates Were Jailed Over Child Support Payments. Walter Scott Was One Of Them.

 

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