On January 15, a group of Latina, Asian, African-American and newly immigrated women alleged that they have been discriminated against by Family Court, which ruled in favor of their white boyfriends when it came to granting custody of their children.

Taking their cue from Martin Luther King Day and its celebration of civil rights, a group of mothers met in front of Mayor Bloomberg’s office to demand justice and the right to reunite with their children.

“They took my daughter away from me in 2003, and I wasn’t allowed to see her for six months because the father said I was mentally unstable,” said Rosanna Rodríguez, the Dominican mother of an eight-year-old girl.

Rodríguez has engaged in a long legal battle against her daughter’s father, who, some months ago, got an order of protection against the mother, requiring that she see her daughter only under supervision.

“I can’t even talk to her school. I’m a good mother, but this is revenge, because he (her daughter’s father) told me if I left him I’d be sorry,” Rodríguez said.

City Councilmember John Liu (D-Queens) supported the women’s cause and indicated that the Council has received several complaints from mothers asking for justice and equality in cases where children’s custody is being debated.

“It’s important not only to protect the rights of the women involved, but also to assure ourselves of the safety and welfare of the children,” said Liu.

The Queens legislator asked Judge Judith Kaye to institute an investigation of the allegations.

“I have a dream that I can spend Chinese New Year with my daughter without being humiliated, ridiculed, questioned by the court on account of my race,” said Esther Yang, who lost custody of her daughter.

Councilmember Yvette Clarke (D-Brooklyn) pointed out that often these women do not have the economic support they need to fight for custody of their children in court, so they tend to lose.

“I have fought for an increase in funds designated for community organizations that provide free legal assistance to women and families who need it,” declared the councilwoman, adding that it is time for society to right the inequalities in the judicial system.

Robin McNeill averred she had been unjustly judged in court because of the color of her skin. “I am a proud African-American mother,” she said.