Florida Civil Rights Association

For Immediate Release Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Media Contacts J Willie David, III, President Florida Civil Rights Association President 407 272 9254 | [email protected]

Henry Stowe, Lead Advocate National Motorists Association 407 375 8445 | [email protected]

FLORIDA CIVIL RIGHTS ASSOCIATION CALLS JUDGE RULING AGAINST RED LIGHT TICKET CAMERAS A MAJOR VICTORY FOR FLORIDA MOTORISTS

State Lawmakers Should Not Pass A Law that Condones Local Governments illegal acts against Florida Motorists

ORLANDO, Fla. - In response to a ruling by Circuit Court Judge Jerald Bagley that Aventura's red light camera tickets are invalid by state law, the Orlando based Florida Civil Rights Association president J Willie David III states that the ruling "represents a major victory" in the ongoing war against red light cameras in Florida. It appears that the "courts are hearing our arguments against red light cameras" and other potential forms of automated enforcement. Cities like Orlando, Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Springs need to "cease and desist from absconding unjust fines from motorists immediately," said David. It has come time to stop "robbing people of their money during this time of economic turmoil." David points out that red light cameras as installed on Florida roads amount to highway robbery.

The FCRA and the National Motorists Association together have joined to fight the cameras being installed almost on a weekly basis by cities in Florida. The groups have pointed out that the safety record of red light cameras is terrible and their use is unconstitutional. "These devices injure and kill people on the roadways," said Henry Stowe, an activist for the National Motorists Association as well as the FCRA's Transportation Chairman. "Not only that they deny motorists their basic constitutional rights." Recognizing that the ruling does not directly determine constitutionality, Stowe does not believe that simply enacting a state law authorizing their use will solve the dilemma. The proposed bills in front of the legislature basically cut the state in on the "revenue grab" while codifying the basic concept of what he terms "camera theft." It won't wash, said Stowe. Public pressure is building against ticket cameras in Florida, said Stowe.

The FCRA and the NMA are staging a statewide protest against red light cameras on 2/27/10 at 12 noon in several cities and towns using red light cameras. They are Palm Coast, Apopka, Orlando, and Temple Terrace. We want to send out a message to legislators that motorists are fed up with being treated like cash machines for government. "We are fed up of feeding big government, big business and big brother," said Stowe. For information on specific protest locations, Stowe can be contacted at [email protected].

To issue a complaint against camera issued citations, contact the FCRA website www.fcranews.com. The Florida Civil Rights Associations has been fielding an increasing number of complaints about red light camera tickets which are for mostly "technical foul violations" said Willie David. "This ruling states that this needs to stop," said David.