Anti-abortion group sues over use of aerial banners

Advertiser Staff

A California-based group of abortion opponents is asking for a federal court ruling that it is entitled to use airplanes in Hawai'i to tow banners that graphically depict the effects of abortion.

A lawsuit filed yesterday by the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform Inc. claims the Federal Aviation Administration has rescinded a rule that allowed cities or counties to control advertising banners towed by aircraft.

A city ordinance that attempts to regulate or prohibit such messages is void in light of the FAA rule change, the group says.

The center says it has had to resort to using towed banners since the mainstream media refuse to show images of aborted fetuses.

In addition, the abortion opponents say their message constitutes religious free speech, not commercial free speech, and is protected by the U.S. Constitution.

The lawsuit names City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle and Ho-nolulu Police Chief Lee Donohue as defendants and says they are the ones charged with enforcing and defending the city ordinances.

Neither could be reached yesterday to comment on the lawsuit.