Choose Life Lawsuit Possible

Special Report - May 27, 2010
Supporters of the “Choose Life” specialty license plates say the plates will ultimately get a vote one way or another in North Carolina—either in the General Assembly this year, or in a court of law. Although they hope a lawsuit against the State will not be necessary, the coalition of pro-life organizations who sponsored Tuesday’s “Free Speech, Why Not NC?” rally at the General Assembly made it clear that they are willing to take the issue to court, if the legislature refuses to act for an 8th year on bills that would give North Carolina motorists the option of purchasing a “Choose Life” specialty license plate.

Despite the threat of rain, more than 100 citizens gathered on the front steps of the Legislative Building in Raleigh to show their support for the “Choose Life” specialty license plate legislation, which is eligible for consideration in the “Short” session. Speakers included Rep. Mitch Gillespie (R–McDowell), the principal sponsor of HB 168—Choose Life Special Plate, Russ Amerling of Choose Life, Inc., and Barbara Holt of North Carolina Right to Life. Bobbie Meyer, executive director of the Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship (CPCF), also spoke to the crowd about the variety of services pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) provide to women and men facing unplanned pregnancies. The CPCF is a statewide network of PRCs that will distribute the funds raised from the sale of “Choose Life” specialty license plates. Most of the speakers highlighted the fact that North Carolina is the only state in the Southeast to prohibit the purchase of “Choose Life” specialty license plates, while allowing motorists to purchase a variety of other specialty plates for different causes.

The rally ended with a brief statement by Dorothy Yeung, a Durham-based attorney who works with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF). She pledged ADF’s support, should a lawsuit against the State become necessary. “Pro-life and pro-adoption organizations should not suffer censorship simply because not everyone agrees with their viewpoint. The State of North Carolina cannot treat the 'Choose Life' message differently than it treats other messages that advocate causes in a program that is open to all non-profit organizations,” said Yeung. “To do so is classic viewpoint discrimination, which is unquestionably unconstitutional.” She added that, “It would be unfortunate if the right to speak out on such a vital issue had to be fought and won in court once again, as it has in so many other places, but ADF is prepared to do so if necessary."

In related news, the majority of North Carolina voters support giving citizens the option of purchasing a “Choose Life” specialty license plate, according to a new Civitas Institute poll. The survey of 600 likely North Carolina voters, which was released May 24, found that 68 percent of voters said they support “allowing citizens the choice to display the pro-life license plate,” while 24 percent said they were opposed, and eight percent were unsure.

More than 2,700 citizens have signed a petition in support of the “Choose Life” specialty license plates. To sign the petition, go here.

Copyright © 2010. North Carolina Family Policy Council. All rights reserved.