Chicago ? A federal judge ordered state officials Monday to offer license plates with the motto “Choose Life,” saying that the message, considered by some to be anti-abortion, is protected by the First Amendment.

U.S. District Judge David H. Coar said the state must issue the plate as long as sponsors of the idea can meet certain numerical and design requirements.

A group called Choose Life Illinois Inc., made up largely of adoption advocates, tried in vain for several years to get legislative approval for the plates before suing in 2004.

Coar said in his opinion that he assumed that the request for a “Choose Life” license plate was prompted by a sincere interest in promoting adoption, but that whatever the intent, the message is protected speech.

Coar’s ruling was issued on the 34th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, which legalized abortion, but it made no mention of the 1973 case.