A Battle Won! (SC License Plate Case)

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

-- This should have been such a no-brainer, seems to me, but some folks just don't understand the problem with "in-yer-face religion." Anyway, here's the good news, from the Americans United (au.org) website;

________________________________________________

December 11, 2008

Americans United Applauds Federal Court Ruling Against South Carolina's 'Christian' License Plate

Federal Judge Blocks Issuance Of ‘I Believe’ Automobile Tag Featuring Cross And Stained-Glass Church Window

A federal judge today ruled that the state of South Carolina may not issue a special “Christian” license plate featuring a cross, a stained-glass window and the words “I Believe.”

Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which sponsored the litigation to stop issuance of the plate, hailed the decision.

“The ‘I Believe’ license plate is a clear example of government favoritism toward one religion,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “The court drove home an important point: South Carolina officials have no business meddling in religious matters.”

U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie today issued a preliminary injunction forbidding the state to issue or manufacture the plates. She also ordered the state to inform people who requested the plates that they will not be available and to remove information about the plates from the state Web site. Currie will release a written opinion on Monday.

Americans United brought the Summers v. Adams legal challenge on behalf of four local clergy the Rev. Dr. Thomas A. Summers, Rabbi Sanford T. Marcus, the Rev. Dr. Robert M. Knight and the Rev. Dr. Neal Jones as well as the Hindu American Foundation and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

In legal briefs, AU asserted that the “I Believe” license plate was unlike other specialty tags offered by the state. The measure authorizing the special plates was passed unanimously by both houses of the legislature, with the active support of Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer.

Americans United also pointed out that some legislators openly admitted that they would not vote for similar plates for minority faiths.

Asked by a reporter if he would support a license plate for Islam, Rep. Bill Sandifer replied, “Absolutely and positively no…. I would not because of my personal belief, and because I believe that wouldn’t be the wish of the majority of the constituency in this house district.”

Said AU Legal Director Ayesha N. Khan, “The ‘I Believe’ license plate sends the message that South Carolina has a favored religion. That’s one message the state is not permitted to transmit.”

Khan argued the case in Columbia before Judge Currie, assisted by AU Madison Fellow Elizabeth J. Stevens. Aaron J. Kozloski of Capitol Counsel, a Columbia, S.C. law firm, served as local counsel.

_____________________________________________________

Congratulations to UU minister Neal Jones and all the others for standing firm on this!

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

1. Woot!

Have a link on that story?

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

5. Not yet. It came as an e-mail to me from Americans United.

Wait...here it is, at au.org;

http://www.au.org/site/News2?abbr=pr&page=NewsArticle&id=10191&security=1002&news_iv_ctrl=1241

[Cirque du So-What]

2. Congratulations!

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

6. Here's a link showing that proposed SC license plate

http://www.au.org/site/PageServer?pagename=our_efforts_2008_sc_plates

[depakid]

3. "some legislators openly admitted that they would not vote for similar plates for minority faiths."

At least they were honest....

[northernsoul]

4. Good news!

[CitizenPatriot]

7. yea! I've been following this for quite a while

I could have sworn I saw some of these plates while in SC, but maybe it was a bumper sticker. At any rate, it's completely offensive. I continue to be horrified by the SC gov et al, as they have no grasp of what the rest of the country is like -- and indeed, the meaning of separation of church and state.

I'm not sure it's accurate that the majority of their constituents wouldn't want other plates. SC has experienced changes in the make up of its citizens. At any rate, the issue is that the state should not be endorsing one religion over another.

Thank god for sanity.

[xchrom]

8. recommend

[DavidDvorkin]

9. I assume the state will appeal

Perhaps it will end up at the Supreme Court. Given the current SC makeup, that could be bad news for separation.

[Are_grits_groceries]

10. Thank God!!

I live in SC, and I could swear I saw one of those plates. I distinctly remember making a face.

I can't find it listed at the DMV site. Oh well.

[AwakeAtLast]

11. Now can Indiana get rid of its "In God We Trust" plates?

:shrug:

[kas125]

12. Those plates really are one of my pet peeves. I detest them and

I think it's ridiculous that they're allowed to print that on our license plates and our money. Ugh!

[sam sarrha]

13. i was hope'n to get a Buddha Plate with a Mami Mantra on it.. but then i remembered i got fired from...

4 jobs cause of a "Free Tibet" bumper Sticker since i moved to the south..

[Pastiche423]

14. Great news!