Thread: Hispanic Group Sues FL Says License Plate Rules Discriminate

Last time I read history, Spain "discovered" Florida which was already inhabited by native peoples. Even the attempt to switch the discussion to "Hispanics settled Florida" discussed below doesn't cut it. I don't believe Spaniards would approve of being called "hispanic," and you can hardly call the Spanish presence in Florida colonial period "settlement." This is all such nonsense!!

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,1051215.story

Hispanic group sues state, alleging specialty license-plate rules discriminate
Victor Manuel Ramos | Sentinel Staff Writer
September 5, 2008

Early concept for Hispanic specialty plate, as proposed by National Hispanic Corporate Achievers. (NATIONAL HISPANIC CORPORATE ACHIEVERS / June 25, 200



A nonprofit group proposing a custom Hispanic license plate for Florida filed a federal lawsuit Thursday, claiming discrimination and infringement of free speech.

National Hispanic Corporate Achievers, a Longwood organization that organizes local job fairs, is asking the court to exempt its application for the specialty tag from a requirement to submit county-by-county survey results showing support for its plate. The organization says the state regulations make it hard for a minority group to get a plate approved.

It also seeks a ruling against the required survey methods, according to the filing in U.S. District Court. The action does not seek monetary compensation.

"We are not saying in this lawsuit that anyone is purposely discriminating against Hispanics," said Adam Sudbury, an Orlando attorney representing Hispanic Achievers. "What we are saying, however, is that the statute . . . is discriminatory in its effect."


Sudbury added that by allowing various interest groups to have their license plates, "the state has created a forum for speech" that must be open to all constituencies.

The state's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles vowed to fight back because it maintains it treats all applicants equally, saying in a letter to the group that its rules are "neutral and nondiscriminatory."

The Hispanic plate proved controversial when it was proposed in May, just before a 3-year moratorium on new custom plates went into effect. The proceeds would support the nonprofit's educational and job programs.

The concept touted "Hispanics Discovered Florida" and depicted a Spanish galleon with a notation of the year 1513 -- a reference to the arrival of Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon to the territory that would become Florida.

Group officials said they have since changed the plate's message to "Hispanics Settled Florida" to quiet critics, who complained that the statement was historically inaccurate and offensive to American Indians.

For the plate to pass muster, though, proponents would have to show through a scientific survey that at least 30,000 vehicle registrants intend to buy it.

However, most of the state's 3.6 million Hispanics live in the southern and central parts of the state, and the lawsuit claims they would be undercounted in a statewide sample.

Hispanic Achievers chairman Danny Ramos, who conceived the idea for the plate, said the odds are stacked against Latinos and other minorities.

"Who is going to buy a Hispanic plate who is not a Hispanic? So why survey people that are not Hispanic to buy a Hispanic plate?" Ramos said. "We already know the answer to that."

I wish they would let me design the plate

I'll just get my Crayola box and see what I can do

"Who is going to buy a Hispanic plate who is not a Hispanic? So why survey people that are not Hispanic to buy a Hispanic plate?" Ramos said. "We already know the answer to that."

Then everyone pulled over that has this plate, for an reason could claim discrimination

Group officials said they have since changed the plate's message to "Hispanics Settled Florida" to quiet critics, who complained that the statement was historically inaccurate and offensive to American Indians.

SO NOW WHAT WILL THE NATIONAL TAG SAY, IT IS COMING.

HISPANICS RESETTLED AMERICA

Then everyone pulled over that has this plate, for an reason could claim discrimination

Jimpasz-
That hadn't occurred to me, but I'm sure it will occur to them.

jimpasz: Pretty Lady Picture

I thought this thread had something to do with drivers licenses for illegal aliens. The actual subject turns our to be vanity plates and plate fringes and as someone many of whose friends in Florida are Hispanic I am in favor of the Hispanic Acheivers license plate. I am also in favor of the Minuteman Highway pick up billboard. Free Speech both times.

Why has our government permitted this minority group of illegal criminal aliens to have say at all?

The government does not want the American people to focus on the issue of Illegal Criminal Aliens.

Focus is on minority rights and a stupid license plate. Please!

It should be on: DEPORT, DEPORT, GET MORE ICE INTO FL. AND GET AN ANCHOR BABY LAW; AND DEPORT SOME MORE.

Originally Posted by vmonkey56

jimpasz: Pretty Lady Picture

Thats no other then our next VP

Express your appoval of and support for the actions of the Florida State Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at: www.flhsmv.gov
License plates under "Division of Motor Vehicles", listed third in "Contact Us".