Candlelight Vigil for Fathers’ Rights Tonight

ORANGE — A fathers’ rights group will hold a candlelight vigil at the Orange County Superior Court in Orange tonight to call for equality in custody, visitation and other family-law issues as Father’s Day approaches.

The event, sponsored by the Coalition of Parent Support, will take place at 7 p.m. outside the court, at 341 The City Drive S., and will feature best-selling author, psychotherapist and radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger as guest speaker.

Group spokeswoman Dianna Thompson said the event, dubbed “Picturing Equality,” is being staged “to call attention to the uphill battle faced by many fathers who are desperately trying to stay involved in their children’s lives.”

Speakers from numerous children’s and fathers’ rights groups across the country plan to attend, Thompson said.

“In 80% of cases, custody is awarded to moms, and dads are told to just send money,” Thompson said. “Some can’t make their payments, some just don’t, and kids go to pieces. . . . It’s a national tragedy.”