Approximately one year ago Red Light Cameras went up in the city of Kansas City, MO. We were there the weekend they were turned on, stood out at the sight of the first camera, and protested. We were booed and flipped off by most drivers. Later last spring, a bill to ban the red light cameras was killed in committee.

Fast forward to three weeks ago. We held another protest on January 23^rd at the same location as the prior year. This time we came armed with information to give driver’s about the reasons why they should care about the red light cameras, how the city could actually prevent red light running without a cost to the taxpayers, and information on a new bill in the Missouri Senate to, once again, try to ban red light cameras in the state of Missouri. The January protest went over great! We handed out over 200 of our information packets and the reaction from the driver’s was very positive this time. They are TIRED of the cameras.

We decided that since the feedback was so positive with the January protest, we would do another one in February. One spontaneous idea of Liberty Restoration Project turned into a Nationwide Valentine’s Day Red Light Camera protest. We set up a facebook event calling for other cities to get involved nationwide and it worked! We ended up having 10 cities involved with the Valentine’s Day Red Light Camera protest from all over the nation. Austin, TX, Philadelphia, PA, St. Louis, MO, Santa Maria, CA, Pheonix, AZ, Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL, Springfield, MO, Savannah, GA, all joined in with Kansas City, MO to protest. This just shows what one seed planted in the minds of a few, can grow into something spectacular in only a matter of weeks.

The reasons for protesting these red light cameras is to bring attention and awareness of them to citizens that they are being installed and used under the guise of safety, when they are truly only there for revenue generation. The protests also help inform driver’s of legislation in their state that could potentially ban the red light cameras in their state. These cameras are just essentially another “tax” on the citizens, they are also unconstitutional as you are denied due process and the right to a fair trial. You cannot face your accuser when you receive a red light traffic camera.

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Valentine’s Day Red Light Camera Protest

Red, red, red.

That’s the only color you see on Valentine’s Day.

Red hearts, red roses, red candy, red balloons and now, red light cameras?

With all the love and romance in the air on Sunday for Valentines Day, there won’t be any love being shown at the intersection of Western & Addison between 12-3 PM.

This red light camera intersection will be ground zero for the Chicago outpost of a national protest against red light cameras.

Chicago’s participation is being spearheaded by Scott Tucker, Republican nominee for Illinois State Representative in the 11th District, formerly John Fritchey’s seat.

The 37-year old Tucker has made the RLC issue an important part of his platform.

“I think it’s a quality of life issue… it’s a tax presented as public safety,” said Tucker about red light cameras. “It takes money out of the citizens’ pockets and puts it into the hands of wasteful government.”

This national protest, is being spearheaded by The Liberty Restoration Project, based in Kansas City, MO.

The group decided, after the success of a red light camera protest a few weeks ago, they’d do another one. But this time, they’d try to do it on a national scale via their Facebook page.

According to Tracy Ward, the group’s Area Director for Kansas City, it took just two weeks for the protest go from just a handful of cities to 10 locations nationwide including Chicago.

“It’s been pretty good,” said Ward of the response to their national event. “It’s a totally spontaneous national protest. It kind of blew up on us. We have over 500 people nationwide saying they may or will attend just via Facebook.”

But do protests opposing red light camera actually have any effect?

“They are a necessary part of the process to overturn the use of ticket cameras,” states Gary Bills of the National Motorists Association, an organization which represents and protects the interests of motorists. “The public protests help inform local residents about the money raised by the cameras at the expense of motorists, without any corresponding safety benefit.”

Tucker, running an uphill battle against Democrat Ann Williams, supports Senate Bill 2466, introduced by State Senator Dan Duffy, that looks to eliminate all automated enforcement cameras (red light or speed) in Illinois.

However, according to Sen. Duffy and Tucker, SB2466 is being held up in committee by Senate President John Cullerton. Tucker hopes this protest in Cullerton’s backyard, will bring some pressure to bear on the Democrat.

“It depends on how Sen. Cullerton reacts,” says Tucker when asked if he feels Sunday’s protest will have an effect. “If he sides with Mike Madigan than constituents, then constituents will suffer. If he chooses to represent constituent concerns, he will call the bill to the floor. But without some decent public pressure, this bill will not see the light of day.”

Repeated requests for comments were made to Ann Williams’ campaign office but without any response.

http://theexpiredmeter.com/?p=5156

LRP getting coverage on Tony’s KC blog.  Check it out!  Thank him for spreading the word!

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Friday, January 22, 2010

KANSAS CITY RED LIGHT CAMERA PROTEST THIS SATURDAY!!!

Interesting . . . The Liberty Restoration Project takes on Kansas City’s Red Light Cameras this weekend.

This group has a pretty solid list of complaints with local Red-Light Camera efforts.

Protest Details:

Date: Saturday, January 23, 2010

Time: 11:30am – 3:00pm

Location: 39th and Southwest Trafficway, Kansas City, MO

Protesters are encouraged to meet first at Westport Coffee House to distribute supplies among the group, the group will then move to 39th and Southwest Trafficway.

Double Bonus Points, the group will have fliers available to educate drivers on how to fight their tickets.

via Tony’s Kansas City: KANSAS CITY RED LIGHT CAMERA PROTEST THIS SATURDAY!!!.