(no subject)
Feb. 18th, 2004 10:33 pmACLU Sues to End Ban on Anti-Drug-Law Ads
The American Civil Liberties Union sued the transit authority in the nation's capital Wednesday, saying its refusal to display paid advertisements that criticize anti-marijuana laws violated free speech rights.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, says the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority acted unconstitutionally when it declined last week to run the ads at subway and bus stops.
[...] A spokeswoman for Washington Metro, Lisa Farbstein, said city officials were forced to reject the ads to avoid a loss of at least $85 million in federal aid.
The American Civil Liberties Union sued the transit authority in the nation's capital Wednesday, saying its refusal to display paid advertisements that criticize anti-marijuana laws violated free speech rights.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, says the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority acted unconstitutionally when it declined last week to run the ads at subway and bus stops.
[...] A spokeswoman for Washington Metro, Lisa Farbstein, said city officials were forced to reject the ads to avoid a loss of at least $85 million in federal aid.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-02-19 03:41 am (UTC)Re:
Date: 2004-02-19 07:42 am (UTC)Blatant strong-arming to undermine the constitution..? It couldn't happen here. Why, I've listened to the news reports and read the papers, and was taught in school that this is the most free and priveledged nation in the world! Never mind the outspoken Australians and the fierce reporting in the U.K. Pay no heed to the compassionate and logical Swedes.
*farts the national anthem on his way to puke McDonald's grease*
(no subject)
Date: 2004-02-19 06:57 pm (UTC)That would be so encouraging to see a voice of dissent like that in a place like Babylon, DC.
But, it comes as no surprise to me to find that their transit authority opts to follow the usual
fear-based blind patriotism spiel...
...BUT..it is nice to see the ACLU suing them.
(the coming years are going to be quite interesting, to say the least...)