Posted on 01/28/2008 12:48:33 PM PST by SmithL
SAN FRANCISCO -- An Arizona anti-abortion group has a constitutional right to obtain specialty license plates with the message "Choose Life," a federal appeals court ruled today.
The state's License Plate Commission violated the Arizona Life Coalition's freedom of speech when it turned down the "Choose Life" plates after approving less-controversial specialty plates for other nonprofit organizations, said the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. Those groups included associations of police and firefighters and the Wildlife Conservation Council.
The ruling is one of a series of court actions in similar disputes around the nation. Most courts have ruled in favor of allowing the anti-abortion message, including a federal judge last week who ordered the state of Missouri to issue license plates bearing the "Choose Life" motto. But another federal appeals court overturned a South Carolina law that expressly allowed the anti-abortion theme on license plates but did not authorize similar plates for advocates of the right to abortion.
Today's ruling is binding on federal judges in nine Western states, including California. No such case is pending in California.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
“The state’s License Plate Commission violated the Arizona Life Coalition’s freedom of speech when it turned down the “Choose Life” plates after approving less-controversial specialty plates for other nonprofit organizations, said the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco”
The 9th HAD to rule in favor of the Choose Life campaign due to the fact that other non-profits are involved. If not, their liberal bias would’ve been blatantly obvious.
Of course, this means that a Satan worshipping cult could organize as a nonprofit and get the same treatment.
Shouldn’t need a court to say so.
Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while.
‘tis a pity a federal court thinks it has jurisdiction over such a case.
how sad that the statement ‘choose life’ should be considered controversial. Culture of death indeed.
Curious why “pro-CHOICE” people would oppose advocating the “CHOICE of Life”
I thought the whole point was to let people “choose.”
/yes, vaugely sarcastic/
Still, I bet he'd draw the line at my favorite "Death to the Abortionists and their Running Dog Lackeys" ~ or, maybe he wouldn't. Maybe someone could apply for that one and see if the license plate folks cave in lest they get sued again.
Yeah, you’re right ~ from the 9th. I thought this simply upheld a district court ruling though.
Why should it be necessary to go to court to establish your right of free speech before you exercise it?
Anti-abortion slogan OK'd on Arizona license plates
Anti-Abortion? Since when is "Choose Life" anti-abortion?
Only - I guess - if your're an idiot MSM'er.
A federal judge ruled in Arizona's favor, saying a message on a state-issued license plate is a form of communication by the government, which is entitled to control its content. But the appeals court, in a 3-0 ruling, said the message is private speech by the organization that sponsored the specialty plate and by the owner of the vehicle.
Yeah, but ours is the choice where the baby lives.
I think “choose life” is anti-abortion and is meant to be anti-abortion. All pro-lifers are anti-abortion, as they should be.
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