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Williams plans drive against N.Y. belt law

ATERTOWN, N.Y. -- Boston radio talk show host Jerry Williams, who led a successful campaign to repeal the Massachusetts seat belt law, said yesterday he is headed to New York and other states to oppose "police activity against drivers."

"We are saying we've had enough and even though we drive a car, we feel we retain our constitutional rights and police can't hassle us in our cars," said Williams, of WRKO-AM. Williams gained prominence as a leader of the movement that led voters to repeal Massachusetts' mandatory seat belt law in November.

The law was defeated by a 54-46 percent margin after a campaign in which opponents were heavily outspent by groups who argued the law saved lives.
Williams' talk show was the primary source of opposition to the law, which took effect Jan. 1, 1986 and was written off the books on Dec. 4.

Williams said a seat belt law also has been eliminated in Nebraska and added that repeal campaigns also are under way in other states, including New York, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, California and Florida.