July 13, 2007
Oakland, CA – It is with a very heavy heart that I must tell you that even as we met for our annual business meeting on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 and as I shared my deep concern for the way our fat children are being abused by the media, the government, by friends and family, yet another child was snatched for the arms of a loving mother.
NAAFA received a call Wednesday night from a widowed mother asking for our help. The authorities came into her home unannounced and without prior warning with an order to remove her child because the child is FAT!!!
When this grief stricken mother tried to resist, they threatened to arrest her, throw her in jail and take her other children from her as well. Once they had taken her child, she tried to go visit and comfort the child, but they would not allow her to do so. When she tried to call her child, they would not allow her to do so, nor would they allow her child to call her.
We have spoken directly with the mother and have promised that we will be there for her and help her by providing experts, legal assistance, whatever it takes to see her child returned to her home safely and swiftly.
Wednesday evening her younger child was crying, saying, "Mommy, they're going to come and get me next." This atrocity affects not only the child removed from the home, but all the family members as well, in this case, an already grief stricken and traumatized family who now have to face yet another loss.
As of Friday, July 13, 2007, the authorities have been compelled to return the child to her home because the appropriate action had not been taken prior to their removing her. This does not mean that she is safe. They may now begin the process all over again and once again remove her from her home. Our support of this child is still just as necessary.
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP RIGHT NOW!
We would be happy to receive your contributions earmarked for our Children's FLARE Fund. Please mail your checks or money orders to: NAAFA, P. O. Box 22510, Oakland, CA 94609. Please indicate in the memo area of your check that this contribution is for the "Children's FLARE Fund". If you would prefer to use a credit card, leave a message at 916-558-6880 and someone will call you to get your credit card information. We appreciate your support!
I don't know about you, but I don't believe that things happen in our lives by accident. I don't believe in coincidence. I believe that the Universe was preparing us for this moment before we gathered together for our convention. I believe that is why I was so moved to address the issue of what is being done to our fat children in our general meeting on Wednesday and our press conference on Thursday. I hope that you believe this as well.
It is my hope that you will find it in your heart to dig deeply into your pockets to help support the efforts of our organization to stop this horrifying "legal abduction" of our children. Thank you from my heart!
Children come in all sizes...
Understand it.
Support it.
Accept it.
Founded in 1969, the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance is a non-profit human rights organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for fat people. NAAFA works to eliminate discrimination based on body size and provide fat people with the tools for self-empowerment through public education, advocacy, and member support.
On the web: http://www.naafa.org
For more information contact:
Peggy Howell, Public Relations Chairman
National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA)
e-mail: naafa_pr@yahoo.com phone: (707)246-6116