Orlando NOW - Taking Action Nationally for a Pro-Choice License Plate

Florida’s Orlando NOW is mobilizing its forces to obtain a pro-choice specialty license plate from the State of Florida. The chapter is calling out nationally to all artists, designers, and inspired individuals to submit original artwork for their Pro-Choice License Plate Art/Design Contest. See http://LicenseToChoose.org

Orlando, Florida (PRWEB) April 26, 2006 -- Florida’s Orlando NOW is mobilizing its forces to obtain a pro-choice specialty license plate from the State of Florida. The chapter is calling out nationally to all artists, designers, and inspired individuals to submit original artwork for their Pro-Choice License Plate Art/Design Contest. (See http://LicenseToChoose.org) This national contest runs from April 1 through September 1, 2006 after which three finalists will have their artwork shown and judged at an area art gallery. The winner’s design will become an emblem of activist agency in the effort to secure approval for the specialty plate from the Florida State House.

Florida is currently selling and distributing a "Choose Life" license plate that, as of February 28, 2006 has provided over $4. Million in funding for anti-choice groups that distribute biased anti-abortion propaganda. At the same time, pro-choice motorists are denied the opportunity to express their views on a government issued specialty license plate. And in March 2003 the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Women’s Emergency Network could not sue the State of Florida to have the “Choose Life” license plate discontinued.

The time has never been more crucial and Florida NOW is ready to show anti-choice groups that they are not in the majority. The specialty plate will enable Pro-Choice supporters to display their opinion with pride, while at the same time providing much needed funds toward women's reproductive health and abortion services.

"Seeing the anti-choice rhetoric displayed on over 40,000 cars in Florida prompted us to take a proactive stance. At this point our message needs to be out there. We need to be heard, and our supporters have the right to display their message, just as the other side is displaying theirs," says Orlando NOW Vice-President of Programs and License Plate Committee Chair Cicely Scheiner.

“It seems as though Florida NOW felt overall very defeated about that loss, and rightfully so. The feeling at the time was that the anti-choice state legislature would not have allowed a pro-choice plate to be approved. It has taken three years for Florida NOW to realize that it’s in our best interest to fight for a plate of our own, and to defend the organizations and clinics which support a woman’s right to know all of her choices,” said Jenna Cawley, President of Orlando NOW.

Take action of your own. Visit http://LicenseToChoose.org and either enter the contest or donate to the cause.

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