Geo Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 (edited) I heard of this family from Sweden a while back. Here is a very short description of their situation: On June 25th of 2009, officials of Gotland, Sweden boarded a plane bound for India and removed Dominic Johansson from his parents' custody without a warrant or reasonable cause to believe that he was being harmed. Their supposed crime? Choosing to home school Dominic and to delay or decline certain immunizations. Ironically, home schooling is legal in Sweden, and historically, parents have always had the option to legally delay or decline immunizations if they thought it in the best interest of their particular child or children. This poor child has been held by the government for neaerly a year now. No charges of any kind have been brought against his parents. The officials have just removed Dominic because they do not agree with the parents decisions for their son. That simple. If you have a facebook, consider joining the group "Return Dominic Johansson To His Parents". Wouldn't YOU want someone to speak out on your behalf if this were your child? Geo If you would like to keep abreast and/or support this family (by signing their petition to return Dominic): http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=346022854609 Edited May 7, 2010 by Geo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatCyndiGirl Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 This has been posted here before and the sentiment was, "Why on Earth would another country listen to American homeschoolers?" Do we, as American homeschoolers have some fantastic international pull that I don't know about? While I CARE about this topic and this family I just don't see how signing an online petition can possibly help them? Can you expand on that? :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted May 7, 2010 Author Share Posted May 7, 2010 (edited) I guess my answer to that sentiment is that first, you do not need to identify yourself as a homeschooler. This is a human rights issue. Second, precidents are being set in the handling homeschoolers. If governments think that they can stomp all over the rights of homeschool families and no one will cry out, they will be emboldened to continue and even increase in frequency. It has been stated that Sweden is sensitive to how it is perceived by the world, now the world must let that perception be known. If anyone thinks what is being done to this family is wrong...sign the petition...sheesh. It takes less than a minute. If we're too lazy to do that little thing...how will we ever resisit these sorts of actions being directed at us? Geo Petitions are a venue of speaking out...it's a democratic, respectful, civil , way of organizing dissent of actions and decisions. It does work....or doesn't... depending on the who does/doesn't sign. Edited May 7, 2010 by Geo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatCyndiGirl Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 The issue was NOT one of laziness. I asked a genuine question completely without snark. There are MANY, MANY online petitions that people post on message boards and in emails and much of it is just busywork so people can feel like they "contributed to the cause". People can, of course, do whatever they want. I was just asking why Sweden would care at all what American thinks of their decision. If Sweden expressed outrage at an American decision I would imagine that many in America would say, "Who Cares?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted May 7, 2010 Author Share Posted May 7, 2010 (edited) Sorry for snarking. I do admit that I feel it's disheartening to be challenged to convince individuals why anyone should listen to them. I guess I thought it was understood that there is power when individuals unite their voice into larger numbers that ... is precisely why they are heard. It's basic to all change. There is no momentum behind "why should you listen to me"? That's defeatism. I am sure you have heard this quote: "When they came for the Jews, I did nothing, for I am not a Jew. When they came for the Socialists, I did nothing, for I am not a Socialist. When they came for the labor leaders, the homosexuals, the gypsies, I did nothing, for I am none of these, and when they came for me, I was alone, there was no one to stand up for me. -- Martin Niemoller, a Lutheran pastor from Nazi Germany' So if they come for the Swedish homeschoolers, should we do nothing because we are not Swedish (or swedish homeschoolers)? It bodes ill for America... Geo Edited May 7, 2010 by Geo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted May 7, 2010 Author Share Posted May 7, 2010 (edited) really?...no one else? I mean, the government took their child. no charges filed. almost a year ago. parents permitted to see him once every 5 weeks. Geo Edited May 7, 2010 by Geo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Praying for this family and a good resolution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 This has been posted about, referred to and discussed on this forum many times. http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159237 http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155362 http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147433 http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145039 Accusing people of laziness when they don't immediately jump on your thread is a little over-the-top. It's only 8:30 am in my state. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted May 7, 2010 Author Share Posted May 7, 2010 I did sign a petition a number of months ago. This is not the first time this has been brought up and while I think it is a gross miscarriage of justice 1. There is more to the story, 2. Petitions and letters have already been sent and 3. Sweeden doesn't seem to care. What else can we do? It is the people in Sweeden putting pressure on their government that can make a difference. It is their lawyer that can make a diffence. I have alredy made my opinion clear with a letter to the consolete and I hope that it hep in the long run, but what more can we do? I am so glad to hear that you did all you felt to do. The social services actually sent them a letter saying they refuse Mr. Johansson's lawyer!:blink: To top that, they (an official) included the name of a lawyer of their choice and basically said "this is your lawyer". It boggles the mind. I guess our only recourse is to not forget, not just go away. Hope that the pressure mounts, exposure spreads, support the family,etc. Thanks for responding, it encourages me. I can't imagine how it would encourage the Johanssons. It's so easy for them to feel alone in the battle. Just imagine...:confused: Thanks so much, Geo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted May 7, 2010 Author Share Posted May 7, 2010 (edited) I apologized for that...I typed without thinking. Not the first time. Just because something has been discussed before...does that mean it can't be brought up again? I missed those threads...this may be news to someone else. Geo P.S. Thanks for the links, I will read them. This has been posted about, referred to and discussed on this forum many times. http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159237 http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155362 http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147433 http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145039 Accusing people of laziness when they don't immediately jump on your thread is a little over-the-top. It's only 8:30 am in my state. Edited May 7, 2010 by Geo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cammie Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 A little research online provides an update. The family has been appointed a VERY highly regarded human rights attorney with a long track record of fighting the state when it comes to children's issues. This is a good sign and definately good for the family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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