PACT Prayer Vigil Pushes to Reduce Arrests
Monday, January 15, 2024 marks the 95th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birth, and PACT leaders are following Dr. King’s example by calling out the injustice of unnecessary arrests in Miami-Dade County. A prayer vigil is scheduled next week to implore County leaders to address a significant problem highlighted in the 2022 Miami-Dade County Drivers License Task Force report. The report revealed that there are more than 600,000 driver license suspensions in Miami-Dade County, one in three of all licensed drivers; and the majority of these suspensions are not related to individuals' driving abilities but stem from their inability to pay fees and fines.
PACT is calling for a change in the County's approach to these suspensions, urging leaders to decriminalize poverty by expanding the use of Civil Citations to cover D6 driving offenses resulting in license suspensions due to unpaid fees and fines.
There is already recognition within the County of the need for this change. Miami-Dade County Police Director Stephanie Daniels publicly pledged her full support during the 2023 Nehemiah Action, as has State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle who can immediately follow the lead of her colleagues around the State that have already enacted the needed change. This acknowledgment from key figures in law enforcement underscores the urgency and importance of addressing the issue promptly.
How Can You Provide Support:
Take Action Online by clicking the link provided below to access more information on how to contact local leaders and join the collective voice urging immediate action on this matter.
As PACT remembers the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the prayer vigil serves as a powerful symbol of collective action to address systemic issues affecting the community. For additional information, please contact Jenneva Clauss, Associate Organizer, at jclauss@miamipact.org.
