Anti-Abortion Advocate Sues City Of Ann Arbor
ANN ARBOR (WWJ/AP) - A Washtenaw County man who uses his car to spread an anti-abortion message is suing the city of Ann Arbor and its police chief over what he says is the violation of his free-speech rights.
Paul Dobrowolski displays signs with phrases such as "Abortion hurts women" in the window of a vehicle he parks outside a Planned Parenthood facility near S. Huron Parkway and Washtenaw Avenue.
The lawsuit, which was filed Tuesday in federal court, said Dobrowolski was ticketed twice last year for violating a portion of the city code that prohibits parking a vehicle on a street for the purpose of displaying advertising. One of Dobrowolski's signs gives the name, phone number and address of a facility that provides free ultrasounds.
The lawsuit contends that all of Dobrowolski's signs, including the free ultrasound sign, constitute political speech and are protected under the First and Fourteenth amendments.
When reached for comment, Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje said he doesn't talk about pending litigation, but "the city enforces the law."
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