I have received this letter countless times from Atlas readers who wrote to the WMATA in support of our anti-jihad ads. The WMATA just assumes that everyone who writes will be opposed to our ads. They are wrong. Let them know.
From: <csvc@wmata.com>
Date: Fri, Oct 12, 2012 at 6:49 PM
Subject: Rail - Advertising (Jihad)
Dear XXXXXX:
Thank you for your recent email to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) regarding an advertisement currently displayed in the Metro system.
Metro does not endorse the opinions of advertisers on its system, and the ¿Defeat jihad¿ ad does not reflect the views of the agency. In fact, Metro had sought to defer the AFDI ad out of a concern for public safety, given recent world events. However, on Friday, October 5, a U.S. District Judge ruled that the ads must be displayed on the Metro system no later than close of business on October 8. Metro has complied with the Court order, and the ads will remain in four rail stations for one month.
Metro cannot selectively accept certain ads and reject others, as the Court has deemed the Metro advertising program a public forum protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. There are very few limits placed on freedom of speech and, unfortunately, the language used in the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI) ad is not included under those few exceptions.
Again, thank you for taking the time to let us know your views on this matter. Your comments are important to us.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Chowdhry
Consumer Representative
Office of Customer Relations
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
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