- The Center for Reproductive Rights filed a lawsuit in federal court today, seeking to declare unconstitutional a Louisiana statute that authorizes the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to issue special, "prestige" license plates bearing the legend "Choose Life". Plaintiffs in the case object to their state tax payments being used for the administration of the license plates and to the fact that there is no similar "Pro-Choice" license plate available for drivers who wish to express their pro-choice views on abortion.
House Bill 2082 mandates that proceeds from the sale of the special license plates be deposited into a "Choose Life Fund," which would be made available to qualifying nonprofit organizations that provide counseling to expectant mothers. The law stipulates that no money shall be distributed to organizations that counsel women to consider abortion, provide referrals to abortion clinics, provide abortions or advertise for abortion services. The statute also requires the establishment of a "Choose Life Advisory Council" to design the license plates and decide which non-profit organizations will receive funds generated from sale of the plates. The Council must be comprised of a representative from each of the following pro-life organizations: The American Family Association; the Louisiana Family Forum, and the Concerned Women for America.
The Act requires that state taxpayer dollars be used to make and distribute the license plates; establish and maintain the Council; and establish and maintain the Fund.
"In its ardor to promote an anti-choice agenda, the Louisiana legislature has now broken new ground in trampling on the first amendment rights of free speech and separation of church and state," said Simon Heller, Litigation Director for the Center for Reproductive Rights. "We are hopeful that the federal courts will quickly remedy this transgression."
Plaintiffs in Henderson v. Stalder include Russell Henderson and Doreen Keeler, both residents of Orleans Parish. Simon Heller and Brigitte Amiri of the Center for Reproductive Rights represent the plaintiffs along with William Rittenberg, an attorney with the firm of Rittenberg and Samuel in New Orleans.
