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License plates as private speech?

dante

Unabomber
Feb 13, 2004
8,807
9
looking for classic NE singletrack
Judge blocks anti-abortion South Carolina license plate...

The injunction only affects the "Choose Life" plates. The case comes down to whether or not specialty license plates are considered a form of private speech, which would be protected by the First Amendment, or government speech, which would allow the legislature to control its own message.
If license plates are a protected form of (private) free speech, can I get one of these?
 

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JohnE

filthy rascist
May 13, 2005
13,562
2,208
Front Range, dude...
When I was a city cop I once stopped a car with "PAKNA9" plates...plates came back clear and valid, still, on approach I asked the driver if he had any weapons on board.
"No, why?" he replied..."
"Your plates Sir, theyr'e kind of suggestive of that..."
At this he grinned and grabbed his crotch. I felt so dirty afterwards...