Fathers 4 Justice Splinter Group Plans Olympic Protests

A group that campaigns for parental rights for fathers has targeted the London Olympics.

The New Fathers 4 Justice, a splinter group of the original campaigners, said it had trained a special "Superhero Squad" to protest at 20 sites, including Dorney Lake near Windsor, which falls in or near cabinet minister constituencies.

Spokesman Rich Adams told International Business Times UK that the squad, dressed in superhero costumes, had been training for last six months in preparation for the games.

"You don't get a bigger stage than the Olympics," he said. "We are looking at high-profile stunts, like dyeing the lake purple - using an environmentally friendly dye of course - and we will not get a better chance to make an impact than this."

Activist squad members have been trained in the use of hang-gliders, para-gliders, abseiling, parachuting, parascending, jet skiing and wind-surfing.

"Along with this group we have a sky-diver and extreme sports enthusiast that can go downhill on a skateboard at over 40mph," Adams added.

"Training has been provided and organised by a sympathiser who is an ex-serviceman from the Royal Marines at no cost.

"This Superhero Squad has been specifically selected to target the Olympics due to their skills and abilities and most of all determination.

"So, yes, Superman could be seen flying this summer."

The group was formed in 2008 after disagreements with original Fathers4Justice campaign founder Matt O'Conner who chose to tone down protests in favour of political dialogue.

New Fathers 4 Justice have asked MPs and cabinet members, including Maidenhead's Theresa May and Windsor's Adam Afriye, whose patches are most likely to see protests, for support in their battle to change the family court system.

The group wants "nothing less" than an automatic presumption of 50/50 contact with children when parents split as well as compulsory mediation before any dispute is taken to the family court.

They also want the family court system, which is closed to the public, to be opened up.

In their letter to MPS, the group rails against an "insidious gender apartheid" which means mothers are seen as carers while "fathers shall pay".

"Family law is the devil's labyrinth, run by an unelected, unaccountable and unsackable judiciary who operate in secrecy. This is the greatest cover-up in the history of British justice," the letter states.

"We won't be setting out to damage the games, or do anything dangerous," said Adams. "We just want to be seen and heard and this is the best place for this to happen."

Olympic organisers refused to comment on security.