Ohio ACLU Challenges "Choose Life" License Plates

The ACLU of Ohio today filed suit challenging Ohio's plans to offer a "Choose Life" license plate for sale to motorists without offering a similar pro-choice plate. The suit was brought on behalf of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio and three individuals. In its full complaint, the ACLU alleges that in enacting SB 156, the state legislature engaged in viewpoint discrimination that violates plaintiffs' free expression rights. Along with its complaint, the ACLU filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent the state from implementing the law which is scheduled to go into effect on May 18, 2005. The complaint does not allege an establishment clause claim.