A federal judge turned back pro-abortion objections against the Choose Life license plates in Illinois saying motorists have the free speech rights to purchase them and place them on their automobiles.
U.S. District Judge Coar said protests from abortion advocates don’t trump the First Amendment.
Coar also said the state must issue the specialty license plates as long as the sponsors of it meet normal requirements on the design and number of motorists wanting one.
Attorney with the Thomas More Society: “We applaud Judge Coar’s decision as a ringing endorsement of the First Amendment rights of all Illinois citizens and as very welcome news for the cause of adoption in Illinois,” he said.
Choose Life Illinois filed the lawsuit in July 2004 against Illinois Secretary of State White.
After receiving far more than the necessary number of signatures to submit an application for a Choose Life license plate — they needed 800 and obtained 25,000 — the state legislature did not approve the plate for two years.
[24Jan07, Chicago, LifeNews.com]