A Review of FAC’s Progress this year and a Blessed Thanksgiving Wish
Dear Members and Advocates,
Each year I struggle to formulate a positive Thanksgiving message. While some of us might look forward to a festive holiday meal with family and friends, we can’t stop thinking about those of us who cannot. Some of us will be alone, under a bridge or otherwise isolated. It’s very hard to celebrate a day of thanksgiving while some amongst us are suffering.
I reached out to our President, Gail, who told me about some of the things she is thankful for. She said, “I’m thankful for all who are so committed to this struggle and righting the ship. Without whom things would be much worse! I am thankful for all the families who hang in with their loved ones who are required to register, even though it puts such a strain on the family. I’m thankful that even in a very small way, I’m able to represent these folks who have been through the ringer and are still standing.” It reminded me that even for those of us who have the least to be thankful for, we have our FAC family who will not stop fighting for us.
As I look back on past years’ Thanksgiving messages, I realize that we do have some tangible accomplishments to be thankful for. A victory in a Ft. Lauderdale residency restriction case this past March (thankful for attorney Val Jonas for that one), finally having our day in court in the Miami-Dade SORR challenge, the filing of our Ex Post Facto challenge, some shifting public sentiment in the media and all of the new members we have added to our family over the past year.
So while Thanksgiving these years might not be the happy, festive time that it had been in the past, it’s still an opportunity to remind ourselves of the strides we have made over the course of the last year and that’s certainly something to be thankful for!
Some new developments to report this week; the Duval (Jacksonville) Sheriff’s department has responded to our letter indicating their sign (see: Is your local Sheriff making up their own rules) will be removed or replaced. In the SORR case, the government has asked for another extension and now the parties have until December 3rd to file their Post-Trial Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law. In our Ex Post Facto case, the government’s extension of time to file an answer/reply expires tomorrow, so we anticipate their responsive pleading imminently. Please keep monitoring our website for updates on these cases.
Also, new is a vanity toll-free telephone number (1-833-2-REPEAL) that will be our new Florida Action Committee telephone number! Hopefully this number will be easier to remember and share with others interested in joining our fight.
Thanks to all of you who have supported our organization this past year and enabled FAC to achieve all we have this past year. Let’s make sure we have even more to be thankful for next Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
The Florida Action Committee
Reminder: December 6th membership call topic is “Probation Standards versus Grievances”. Send your questions to membership@floridaactioncommittee.org .
SOME HEADLINES FROM THIS WEEK
Must Listen: Oral Arguments now Available in Millard v. Rankin
Oral argument in the case of Millard v. Rankin, the Colorado case where the registry was found to be cruel and unusual punishment, took place yesterday. The audio for the hearing can be found by clicking on the link below: Millard-v.-Rankin oral argument The case…
How the definition of “Overt Act” has changed over 20 years.
The facts are similar though the cases are 20 years apart. After some online communication, a man plans to meet who he thinks is a minor, only it’s actually an undercover police officer. When he shows up at the intended meeting point, he is arrested and charged with a…
David Pakman comes out against the sex offender registry.
The David Pakman Show is a multiplatform politics and news talk show airing on radio, television, and the internet, hosted by David Pakman. Host David Pakman holds an MBA from Bentley University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Communication from the…
ACSOL: Has your Church excluded you?
Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) wants to know if your church or religious congregation has excluded you. In this month’s Janice’s Journal – written by ACSOL attorney Janice Bellucci, asks, “Why is it that some churches place outright bans on…
I am thankful that my probation was terminated eleven years early. Now I can be more involved with my family, my neighbors, my community, and with working to get this onerous Brevard County Ordinance 2006-31 cancelled.
I know I am out of state with Fla Conviction. I just wanna say I am thankful that one woman Gail who started this fight along with her helper,volunteers should be given a round of Applause for her exhausting fight to endless govermental rules and draconian laws! Thank you Gail and FAC for your fight!
I totally agree with Joseph. FAC is a definite blessing. What a project Gail and all her co-workers took on! Reminds me of the fight civil rights had back in the 60’s. I fully expect a win in the future. Once the public is educated we will find that they are a forgiving public…since we all for one reason or another during our lifetime need forgiveness. The example we set in our communities will go a long way in that education process. It takes patience but anything worth attaining is worth endurance. Besides, setting a good example helps us to wake up each morning with a clear conscience and ready to face the day.
Speaking of Thanksgiving and food…….. Any news on farm bill and foods stamps has it been passed I can not find any thing but “lame duck sessions”