Court Rules New York Must Permit “Choose Life” License Plates
Posted
by: Joseph Spector - Posted in Uncategorized on Nov 09, 2011
The state Catholic Conference is hailing a decision late
yesterday from a federal court that ruled New York must permit the “Choose Life” license plates as a specialty
plate option.
The Alliance Defense Fund first brought the case in August 2004 after the DMV rejected... the license plate, claiming it might offend some New Yorkers.
The decision in Northern
District court in New York says New York violated First Amendment rights by rejecting the license plate. The state could appeal
the decision.
“The decision of the federal court in the ‘Choose Life’ license plates case is
a victory for the free speech rights of all New Yorkers,” said Kathleen Gallagher, director of pro-life activities of
the Catholic Conference. “With its custom license plate program, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles created
a public forum where it allows the display of messages, slogans, logos, web sites and toll-free telephone numbers for advocacy
groups. The state cannot permit free speech for some but not for all. Equal protection under the law means all persons and
groups must be treated equally.
Gallagher said the state has a moratorium on custom plates, but it should be lifted
after Tuesday’s ruling and the judge’s decision should be implemented.
There was no immediate comment
from DMV.
