Transit system won't appeal order to allow Hilter bus ads

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia’s transit system says it won’t appeal a federal judge’s order that it must accept provocative ads that include a 1941 photograph of Adolf Hitler with a former Arab leader.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority said Thursday a pro-Israel group requested advertising space before an agency policy change allowing it to reject offensive ads.

The American Freedom Defense Initiative’s proposed ads carry the tagline: “Jew Hatred: It’s in the Quran.”

The ads will appear on the side of 84 buses. One features a 1941 photograph of Adolf Hitler and supporter Hajj Amin al-Husseini, a Palestinian Arab nationalist.

SEPTA says it changed its policy last October so it can reject ads without violating free speech rights.

It says attempts to vandalize the ads or deface vehicles won’t be tolerated.