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Federal Judge Blocks NC Anti- Abortion License Plates

On Monday, U.S. District Judge James Fox issued an injunction temporarily blocking North Carolina from issuing anti-abortion license plates, as the new state law that allows for the production of the plates is being challenged. The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina (ACLU-NCLF) filed a lawsuit in September, arguing that the production of the plates is “unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination” and in direct violation of the First Amendment.

According to the ACLU, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill approving production of “Choose Life” license plates but would not pass any of the six proposed amendments to create a plate supporting abortion rights, such as the “Trust Women. Respect Choice” or the “Respect Choice” plates.

Katherine Lewis Parker, Legal Director of the ACLU-NCLF, stated , “This case is ultimately about free speech and equal treatment for all North Carolinians, regardless of their point of view on abortion. The state should not be allowed to use its authority to promote one side of a debate while denying the same opportunity to the other side.”

Charlotte Observer 11/28/11; Star News Online 11/28/11; Feminist Daily Newswire 9/9/11

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