US District Judge Goldberg ruled the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) must allow the so-called American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI) to post anti-Muslim advertisements, showing a photo of Hitler and an Islamic leader, Sputnik International reported.
AFDI, an American offshoot of a European anti-Muslim organization, led by Pamela Geller pro-Zionist blogger, claimed it has a first amendment right to run bus ads linking Muslims to Hitler.
"He agreed with us on all the issues," said AFDI attorney Robert Muise.
Some ads claim: "Two thirds of all US aid goes to Islamic countries."
SEPTA rejected the ads, having concerns over portraying Muslims in a negative manner.
The ad "disparaged Muslims because it portrayed them in a way that I believe was untrue and incorrect and false," the Authority’s General Counsel Gino Benedetti said.
But Judge Goldberg said that the content of the ad “squarely involves political expression and reflects plaintiffs' interpretation of a religious text, both of which are protected speech.”
Spokesperson Jerri Williams says SEPTA is disappointed, but is evaluating whether to appeal.