Argument Set for Court Challenge to Louisiana’s Speciality License Plates

New Orleans, LA
Charging that Louisiana’s specialty license plates infringe upon First Amendment rights, the Center for Reproductive Rights will ask the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana to stop production of all specialty plates by Louisiana.The Center will specifically argue that Louisiana’s scheme of allowing special plates only for those who can muster the political support of the Louisiana Legislature infringes on free speech rights. The State has refused to create a specialty plate for pro-choice drivers, thereby stifling their ability to express pro-choice views on their license plates.”We hope to finally put an end to the State of Louisiana’s unconstitutional censorship of its citizens,” said Simon Heller, Of Counsel with the Center for Reproductive Rights and lead counsel on the case. “By permitting only some viewpoints to be expressed on its license plates, the State is violating the free speech rights of those who disagree with the Legislature on a variety of issues,” added Heller.Six states have enacted legislation to create “Choose Life” license plates and are using the proceeds to help fund the distribution of biased medical and anti-choice information.Plaintiffs in Henderson v. Stalder include Russell J. Henderson, Doreen Keeler, Rabbi Robert H. Loewy, the Greater New Orleans Section of the National Council of Jewish Women, Planned Parenthood of Louisiana, and Reverend Eugene LaMothe. Mr. Heller of the Center for Reproductive Rights represents the plaintiffs along with Center cooperating attorney William Rittenberg, of the firm Rittenberg & Samuel in New Orleans.WHAT: Oral Arguments Challenging Louisiana’s Sale of Specialty “Choose Life” License PlatesWHEN: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 at 9:30 A.M.WHERE: United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana 500 Camp Street, Judge Duval’s Court Room New Orleans, LA