Originally from: Larry Ouellette <medads@gwi.net>
Originally dated: Thu, 6 Nov 97 23:14:01 -0500

Houlton, Maine prayer support of the Pierce persecution resumes at 8 a.m. EST Friday morning, Nov. 7 at the Military Street Baptist Church in Houlton.

Half a dozen congregations have joined with the Military Street Baptist Church and Maine Dads in support of the Pierce family, whose son was stolen by the Maine Department of Human Services nearly a year ago.

The protest began on Oct. 30 when a DHS show trial began in Houlton District Court with Judge David Griffith, one of the most notorious DHS lackeys, presiding. The DHS is insisting in a closed door child protective hearing that the parents abused the child despite the utter lack of evidence or testimony to support a single highly suspect disclosure that was almost immediately disavowed by the child.

Since the trial began members of the clergy, media and lay persons have received subtle and not so subtle threats of retaliation from the judge and DHS officials concerned that the protest is drawing attention to DHS abuses of power. Despite the threats, media coverage has been supportive of the family and support for the protest is growing.

DHS Commissioner Kevin Concannon and Governor Angus King have have been personally briefed on the case, and both have received letters of complaint from legislators. The governor has maintained his silence, and Commissioner Concannon insists that his department can do no wrong.

Press inquires may be directed to Maine Dads at 207.780.8261.

Maine Dads is the Maine affiliate of the American Coalition of Fathers and Children, and is the largest Family law civil rights organization in Maine.