North Carolina Pro-Life License Plate Ruled Unconstitutional

Religion Today | Published: Dec 11, 2012

North Carolina Pro-Life License Plate Ruled Unconstitutional

North Carolina drivers who wanted to display a pro-life message on their car's license plate may never get a chance to do so, CBN News reports. U.S. District Court Judge James Fox ruled Friday the state cannot sell plates reading "Choose Life" because "the state's offering of a 'Choose Life' license plate in the absence of a pro-choice plate constitutes viewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment." After North Carolina's Planned Parenthood complained that sales from the plates would go to pro-life pregnancy centers in the state, the judge halted production of the plates in 2011 until the lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina Legal Foundation. Chris Brook of ACLU-NCLF said it was a free speech victory for all residents of North Carolina regardless of their stance on abortion. State attorneys have not yet decided if they will appeal.



North Carolina Pro-Life License Plate Ruled Unconstitutional