Pay a red light camera fine or appeal it

So the municipal judge said I am liable during the Zoom call hearing. I don't feel I should pay. I read so much going in on my state about how municipal abuse tax payer dollars. The feds came in and arrested the big operator of a red light camera program. Many state legislators are in process of the ban as well of such traffic cameras. Many states have stopped such programs and found it a tax payer waste.

I just feel it's too corrupt to throw my money at these corrupt local mayors , etc. It is hard as it is to live during the pandemic.