Courthouse family rights protest planned
National group says child welfare systems ‘oppressive’
A family rights group is planning protests on Friday against the child welfare system at courthouses across the nation, including Spokane.
The protests, planned in 42 states and Washington, D.C., are being organized by an Internet-based movement known as Govabuse and will target family courts, child protective services and foster care systems that it says “separate and financially demolish families,” according to the organization’s website, govabuse.org.
In Spokane, the protest is expected to occur between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Spokane County Courthouse, according to Kristie Warren, of Newport, Wash., who identified herself as an advocate for Washington Families United.
“We are protesting civil rights violations that take place in courts – the rights of families that get lost,” Warren said.
She said more than 5,000 fliers have been distributed and that local organizers were hoping for a large turnout.
A Govabuse news release said the protest is part of “a nationwide effort to bring light to the abuses of child protective services and child dependency courts.
“Our dream is to raise our children free in this country from an oppressive government,” the release said.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Govabuse has attracted “attention and support” from anti-government groups such as the sovereign citizens movement.
Warren said the protests are not associated with any political ideology or group.
A spokesman for the Department of Social and Health Services said the department was aware of Friday’s protest in Spokane but did not plan a response.