San Diego Minutemen v. California Business, Transportation & Housing Agency's Department of Transportation (570 F. Supp. 2d 1229, 2008)

Citations

570 F. Supp. 2d 1229

Full opinion text

ORDER (1) GRANTING IN PART, AND DENYING IN PART, DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS, AND (2) GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

HAYES, District Judge.

Pending before the Court are Defendants’ motion to dismiss (Doc. # 19) and Plaintiffs motion for a preliminary injunction (Doc. # 13). The Court heard oral argument on these matters on Friday, May 9, 2008.

PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On February 4, 2008, Plaintiff San Diego Minutemen filed a Complaint against Defendants California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency’s Department of Transportation (Caltrans); Dale Bonner, Agency Director of the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency; Will Kempton, Caltrans Director; and Pedro Orso-Delgado, Caltrans District Director. (Doc. # 1). The Complaint alleges that Defendants violated Plaintiffs constitutional rights to free speech, free expression, equal protection, and due process in revoking Plaintiffs Adopt-A-Highway Program permit and removing Plaintiffs Adopt-A-Highway courtesy signs from their location along Interstate 5 at San Onofre, California. (Doc. # 1). In addition, the Complaint asserts claims for damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983 and 1988. (Doc. # 1).

On February 4, 2008, Plaintiff filed a request for a temporary restraining order. (Doc. #2). On February 7, 2008, the Court denied the request for a temporary restraining order. (Doc. # 6).

On February 25, 2008, Plaintiff filed the pending motion for a preliminary injunction. (Doc. # 13). On February 27, 2008, Defendants’ filed the pending motion to dismiss the Complaint. (Doc. # 19).

DISCUSSION

I. Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss (Doc. #19)

A. Allegations of the Complaint

Plaintiff San Diego Minutemen is an unincorporated association operating in San Diego, California. Complaint (Compl.), ¶ 1. Plaintiffs organization “promotes adherence to both California and federal immigration laws in a peaceful, non-violent manner,” and its mission statement is:

To demand the maximum border security and immigration enforcement both locally and at the national level. We oppose illegal immigration in all parts of San Diego County with our activism. We assist and support the U.S. Border Patrol in securing the U.S.-Mexican border from terrorists, gang members, criminals, drugs, and illegal aliens entering the United States. We also assist ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) and local law enforcement in exposing law breaking employers and helping to return illegal aliens to their country of legal residence. We act on behalf of and in accord with the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Compl., ¶ 7.

Defendant Caltrans is the California agency or department in charge of highways and the California Adoph-A-Highway (AAH) Program. Compl., ¶ 4. Defendant Dale Bonner is Director of the California Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency, the state agency which oversees Caltrans. Compl., ¶ 5. Defendant Will Kempton is the Director of Caltrans. Compl., ¶ 6. Defendant Pedro Orso-Delgado is the District Director of Caltrans for the area which is the subject of Plaintiffs Complaint. Compl., ¶ 6.

On or about September 18, 2007, Plaintiff applied for an AAH encroachment permit. Compl., ¶ 8. On November 19, 2007, Defendant Caltrans “accepted” Plaintiff into the AAH Program. Compl., ¶ 9 & Ex. 1. On November 21, 2007, Defendant Cal-trans issued Plaintiff a “site specific” AAH encroachment permit for a portion of Interstate 5 near San Onofre, California, designated as AAH Program segment “11-SD-005 / 66.3-68.3 N/B.” Compl., ¶ 10 & Ex. 2. Thereafter, Defendants “erected signs on either side of the San Onofre, Immigration Check Point on the northbound side of Interstate 5,” which read “San Diego Minutemen.” Compl., ¶ 11 & Ex. 3.

In January of 2008, members of Plaintiffs organization picked up trash at their AAH Program “assigned area.” Compl., ¶ 12. “While cleaning up their area,” members of Plaintiffs organization wore “Caltrans approved hard hats and safety vests,” and there was no “violence,” “interaction with motorists,” or use of “signs” or “placards.” Compl., ¶ 12.

On January 28, 2008, Plaintiff received a letter from Defendant Orso-Delgado notifying Plaintiff that “Caltrans was terminating and revoking” Plaintiffs encroachment permit because the permit “raised questions” about safety. Compl., ¶ 13 & Ex. 5. The letter stated that Plaintiffs AAH Program courtesy sign would “be removed.” Compl., ¶ 13 & Ex. 5. With respect to safety and the reasons for revocation, the letter noted that,

The location of your existing Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) permit has raised questions regarding public safety due to the proximity of your assigned highway segment to a U.S. Border Patrol facility that is co-located with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) San Onofre Inspection facility. Your group has also indicated concerns regarding possible vandalism to the courtesy sign displaying your participation in the AAH Program and the release of information relative to the days you will perform the required clean up.

Compl., Ex. 5. The letter further noted that Plaintiffs participation in the AAH Program at the location in San Onofre, posed “a significant risk of disruption to the operation of the State highway, as well as public safety concerns for both the traveling public and the participants in the AAH Program.” Compl., Ex. 5.

In addition to safety concerns, the revocation letter of January 28, 2008, stated that Caltrans was “currently examining allegations of violent behavior and/or advocacy of violence by [Plaintiff’s] group.” Compl., Ex. 5. The letter informed Plaintiff that,

Under the AAH Program eligibility criteria, entities that advocate violence, violation of the law, or discrimination based upon race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical handicap, medical condition, marital status, age, sex, or sexual orientation may not participate in the Program.

Compl., Ex. 5.

On or after January 28, 2008, Defendants removed Plaintiffs AAH courtesy sign from its location along Interstate 5. Compl., ¶ 15(3) & Ex. 5.

Plaintiff alleges that Defendants terminated Plaintiffs site-specific AAH Program permit because “three members of the California Legislature” placed pressure on Defendants to terminate Plaintiffs permit. Compl., ¶ 14. Plaintiff alleges that “the termination of [Plaintiffs] Adopt-A-Highway sign and requisite privileges and obligations” violated Plaintiffs “First Amendment rights” because the termination was the result of “content and viewpoint discrimination by Defendants.” Compl., ¶ 15(1). “Plaintiff contends that the actions of Defendants ... in terminating Plaintiffs site specific Adopt-A-Highway location were done arbitrarily, capriciously and based upon the unfettered discretion given to the Defendants ... in violation of Plaintiffs constitutional right to free speech and equal protection under the laws.” Compl., ¶ 15(2).

Plaintiff alleges that Defendants terminated Plaintiffs site-specific permit and removed Plaintiffs sign without following Defendants’ “own policies and procedures,” and without allowing Plaintiff a hearing or an opportunity to “present evidence” in violation of Plaintiffs rights to due process. Compl., ¶¶ 15(3), 16.

B. Standard of Review

A motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) tests the legal sufficiency of the pleadings. De La Cruz v. Tormey, 582 F.2d 45, 48 (9th Cir.1978). A complaint may be dismissed for failure to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6) where the factual allegations do not raise the “right to relief above the speculative level.” Bell Atlantic v. Twombly, — U.S. —, —, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 1965, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007). Conversely, a complaint may not be dismissed for failure to state a claim where the allegations plausibly show “that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Id. (citing Fed R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2)). In ruling on a motion to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), a court must construe the pleadings in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, and further, must accept as true all material allegations in the complaint, as well as any reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom. See Broam v. Bogan, 320 F.3d 1023, 1028 (9th Cir.2003). In considering a Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal, a court may not look beyond the complaint. Moore v. Costa Mesa, 886 F.2d 260, 262 (9th Cir.1989).

C. Analysis

Defendants contend that the Complaint should be dismissed because it fails to state a cognizable claim for relief and is not ripe for review. Specifically, Defendants contend that Plaintiff has not alleged nor suffered harm, and further, that the facts alleged do not violate Plaintiffs constitutional rights to free speech, equal protection, or due process. Defendants contend that Plaintiffs claims pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 must be dismissed because Plaintiff has not stated a claim for violation of a constitutional right.

Defendant Caltrans contends that it should be dismissed because it is entitled to Eleventh Amendment sovereign immunity. Defendants Kempton and OrsoDelgado contend that they should be dismissed in their individual capacities because they are entitled to qualified immunity. Defendants Kempton, Bonner, and Orso-Delgado contend that they should be dismissed in their official capacities because they are in essence the State, and are therefore entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity.

Plaintiff contends that it has properly asserted claims for violation of its constitutional rights, and notes that this action is ripe because Plaintiff suffered harm as a result of those constitutional violations. Plaintiff contends that the Eleventh Amendment should not bar its claims against Caltrans because there is federal question jurisdiction and not simply diversity jurisdiction. Assuming Eleventh Amendment immunity applies, Plaintiff contends that Defendants Bonner, Kemp-ton, and Orso-Delgado are not immune from suit for declaratory or injunctive relief.

1. Eleventh Amendment Immunity

The Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution provides,

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

“[F]or over a century,” the United States Supreme Court has interpreted the Eleventh Amendment as precluding jurisdiction in federal courts “over suits against nonconsenting States.” Kimel v. Florida Bd. of Regents, 528 U.S. 62, 73, 120 S.Ct. 631, 145 L.Ed.2d 522 (2000). The Eleventh Amendment “enacts a sovereign immunity from suit, rather than a nonwaivable limit on the Federal Judiciary’s subject-matter jurisdiction,” and it shields a State “save where there has been ‘a surrender of this immunity in the plan of the convention.’ ” Idaho v. Coeur d’Alene Tribe of Idaho, 521 U.S. 261, 267, 117 S.Ct. 2028, 138 L.Ed.2d 438 (1997) (citing Principality of Monaco v. Mississippi, 292 U.S. 313, 322-23, 54 S.Ct. 745, 78 L.Ed. 1282 (1934)). The Eleventh Amendment immunity shields a State from suits brought by the State’s own citizens as well as in suits invoking federal question jurisdiction. Id. at 268, 117 S.Ct. 2028.

“State immunity extends to state agencies and to state officers, who act on behalf of the state and can therefore assert the state’s sovereign immunity.” NRDC v. Calif. Dep’t of Transportation, 96 F.3d 420, 421 (9th Cir.1996); Porter v. Jones, 319 F.3d 483, 491 (9th Cir.2003). A State official “sued in his official capacity has the same immunity as the State, and is entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity.” Pena v. Gardner, 976 F.2d 469, 473 (9th Cir.1992) (citing Hafer v. Melo, 502 U.S. 21, 25-26, 112 S.Ct. 358, 116 L.Ed.2d 301 (1991)). Where a plaintiff seeks prospective injunctive relief against a State official in his official capacity, however, the Eleventh Amendment will not bar the prospective injunctive claim. Ex parte Young, 209 U.S. 123, 155-56, 28 S.Ct. 441, 52 L.Ed. 714 (1908); Verizon Md., Inc. v. PSC, 535 U.S. 635, 645, 122 S.Ct. 1753, 152 L.Ed.2d 871 (2002); Porter, 319 F.3d at 491. In addition, the Eleventh Amendment does not bar claims against State officials to the extent those officials are sued in their individual capacities. Gardner, 976 F.2d at 473 (citing Melo, 502 U.S. at 21-23, 112 S.Ct. 358); Porter, 319 F.3d at 491.

Plaintiffs Complaint asserts claims against Caltrans, a State agency, as well as against Caltrans Director Kempton and Caltrans District Director Orso-Delgado in their official and individual capacities. The Complaint further asserts a claim against California Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency Director Bonner in his official capacity.

After reviewing the case law, the Court concludes that Defendant Caltrans is entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity because State sovereign immunity extends to State agencies and the State of California has not consented to suit in this case. See NRDC, 96 F.3d at 421. In addition, the Court concludes that Defendant Caltrans is not a person pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. See Will v. Mich. Dep’t of State Police, 491 U.S. 58, 71, 109 S.Ct. 2304, 105 L.Ed.2d 45 (1989). Accordingly, Defendants motion to dismiss Defendant Caltrans is hereby GRANTED.

The Court concludes that individual Defendants Bonner, Kempton, and Orso-Delgado are entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity to the extent that they are sued in their official capacities for money damages. See Melo, 502 U.S. at 28-30, 112 S.Ct. 358 (“State officers sued for damages in their official capacity are not ‘persons’ for purposes of the suit because they assume the identity of the government that employs them.”); Gardner, 976 F.2d at 472. However, because the Complaint includes claims against Bonner, Kempton, and Orso-Delgado for prospective injunctive relief, the Court concludes that the individual Defendants are not entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity to the extent that they are sued in their official capacities for prospective injunctive relief. See Verizon Md., Inc., 535 U.S. at 645, 122 S.Ct. 1753; NRDC, 96 F.3d at 422; Porter, 319 F.3d at 491. In addition, the Court concludes that Defendants Kempton and Orso-Delgado are not entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity for claims against them in their individual capacities. See Gardner, 976 F.2d at 473; Porter, 319 F.3d at 491.

2. Ripeness

Defendants contend that this case should be dismissed because it is not ripe for review. Specifically, Defendants contends that the case is not ripe because Plaintiff has not suffered or alleged injury. Defendants contend that Plaintiff was not harmed when Defendants relocated Plaintiffs assigned AAH Program segment to a stretch of State Highway 52 near Santee, California.

Plaintiff contends that this case is ripe for review because Defendants violated Plaintiffs constitutional rights to free speech, equal protection, and due process. Plaintiff contends that Defendants actions in removing Plaintiffs sign without process and in a viewpoint biased manner harmed Plaintiff.

“A claim is not ripe for adjudication if it rests upon ‘contingent future events that may not occur as anticipated, or indeed may not occur at all.’ ” Texas v. United States, 523 U.S. 296, 300, 118 S.Ct. 1257, 140 L.Ed.2d 406 (1998) (citing Thomas v. Union Carbide Agricultural Prod ucts, Co., 473 U.S. 568, 580-81, 105 S.Ct. 3325, 87 L.Ed.2d 409 (1985)). Ripeness requires a court to “ ‘evaluate both the fitness of the issues for judicial decision and the hardship to the parties of withholding court consideration.’ ” Texas, 523 U.S. at 300-301, 118 S.Ct. 1257 (citing Abbott Laboratories v. Gardner, 387 U.S. 136, 149, 87 S.Ct. 1507, 18 L.Ed.2d 681 (1967)). Where a “fair reading” of the Complaint indicates a live controversy and a fully developed factual scenario, a case is considered ripe for review. Porter, 319 F.3d at 490-91.

Courts generally resolve controversies premised on First Amendment violations “where speakers are faced with actual restrictions on the content and/or manner of their speech.” Comcast v. San Jose, No. 5:03-cv-02532-RS, 2004 WL 3080347, *6, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 26363, *14-15 (N.D.Cal. Aug. 23, 2004) (citing Porter, 319 F.3d at 490-91). Here, the Complaint alleges that Defendants violated Plaintiffs constitutional rights to free speech, equal protection, and due process when Defendants revoked Plaintiffs site-specific AAH permit on the basis of Plaintiffs viewpoint. The Court concludes that a fair reading of the Complaint indicates that Plaintiff alleges that Defendants have impermissibly restricted Plaintiffs speech. The Court concludes that a live controversy exists and that resolution of this case does not depend upon “contingent future events that may not occur as anticipated, or indeed may not occur at all.” Texas, 523 U.S. at 300, 118 S.Ct. 1257. The Court further concludes that the case is fit for judicial review and that Plaintiff could suffer harm if this Court dismisses the suit on ripeness grounds. See Assoc. General Contractors of Calif. v. Coalition for Econ. Equity, 950 F.2d 1401, 1412-1413 (9th Cir.1991) (“[A]n alleged constitutional infringement will often alone constitute irreparable harm.”); Sammartano v. First Judicial Dist. Ct., 303 F.3d 959, 973 (9th Cir.2003) (same).

Defendants’ motion to dismiss on grounds of ripeness is DENIED.

3. Whether the Complaint States Cognizable Claims for Relief

Defendants contend that the Complaint does not state cognizable claims for relief. Specifically, Defendants contend that the Complaint fails to state a claim for violation of Plaintiffs rights to free speech, free expression, equal protection, and due process as a matter of law. (Doc. # 30 at 3-8). Plaintiff contends that it has properly stated claims for violation of its constitutional rights and for relief under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

a. First Amendment

The first question is whether Plaintiffs participation in Defendants’ AAH Program involves protected speech or expression. “The First Amendment’s prohibition against ‘abridging the freedom of speech,’ ” U.S. Const, amend I, applies not only to verbal expression, but also to symbolic or expressive conduct that is “sufficiently imbued with elements of communication.” Robb v. Hungerbeeler, 370 F.3d 735, 744 (8th Cir.2004) (citing Spence v. Washington, 418 U.S. 405, 409, 94 S.Ct. 2727, 41 L.Ed.2d 842 (1974)); see Long Beach Area Peace Network v. City of Long Beach, 522 F.3d 1010, 1019-20 (9th Cir. 2008). The United States “Supreme Court has ‘rejected the view that an apparently limitless variety of conduct can be labeled speech whenever the person engaging in the conduct intends thereby to express an idea.’ ” Nordyke v. King, 319 F.3d 1185, 1189 (9th Cir.2003) (citing Texas, 491 U.S. at 404, 109 S.Ct. 2533).

Plaintiffs Complaint alleges that Defendants revoked Plaintiffs site-specific AAH Program permit in violation of Plaintiffs right to free speech and expression. Plaintiff contends that its participation in the AAH Program involved expressive conduct and speech vis-a-vis the AAH Program courtesy signs and Plaintiffs actions in picking up trash on the side of Interstate 5. Defendants contend that participation in the AAH Program does not involve protected speech on the part of an AAH participant. Rather, Defendants contend that the only speech involved in the AAH Program is the State’s speech in recognizing AAH Program participants on the AAH Program courtesy signs.

Courts which have evaluated a claim for violation of the right to free speech by a participant in an AAH Program have concluded that participation in an AAH program involves protected speech on the part of the AAH participant. See Hungerbeeler, 370 F.3d at 744 (“Participation in the AAH program ... does entail some degree of private ‘speech’ protected by the First Amendment.”); Cuffley v. Mickes, 44 F.Supp.2d 1023, 1026 (D.Mo.1999) (same); Knights of the KKK v. Arkansas St. Highway and Transp. Dep’t, 807 F.Supp. 1427, 1435-36 (W.D.Ark.1992) (same). In addition, the Court of Appeal for the Eighth Circuit specifically rejected Defendants contention here that the only speech involved in a case involving an AAH Program was the speech of the State in installing the AAH courtesy signs on the highway in recognition of the AAH Program participant. Hungerbeeler, 370 F.3d at 744. After reviewing the case law, this Court agrees with those courts which have concluded that participation in an AAH Program involves protected speech and/or expression. The Court concludes that Plaintiffs participation in the AAH Program is entitled to protections guaranteed by the First Amendment.

The conclusion that Plaintiffs participation in the AAH Program involves protected speech merely begins the inquiry, as “even protected speech is not equally permissible in all places and at all times.” Cornelius v. NAACP, 473 U.S. 788, 799-800, 105 S.Ct. 3439, 87 L.Ed.2d 567 (1985). The Constitution does not require the Government to “freely grant access to all who wish to exercise their right to free speech on every type of Government property without regard to the nature of the property or to the disruption that might be caused by the speaker’s activities.” Id. “The Court employs a forum analysis to evaluate the nature of the property and the corresponding permissible government limitations on expressive activity.” DiLoreto v. Downey Unified Sch. Dist., 196 F.3d 958, 964 (9th Cir.1999) (citing Cornelius, 473 U.S. at 800, 105 S.Ct. 3439). “ ‘Forum analysis divides government property into three categories: [traditional] public fora, designated public fora, and nonpublic fora.’ ” DiLoreto, 196 F.3d at 964 (citing Children of the Rosary v. City of Phoenix, 154 F.3d 972, 976 (9th Cir.1998)).

Because a principal purpose of traditional public fora is the free exchange of ideas, speakers can be excluded from a public forum only when the exclusion is necessary to serve a compelling state interest and the exclusion is narrowly drawn to achieve that interest. Similarly, when the Government has intentionally designated a place or means of communication as a public forum speakers cannot be excluded without a compelling governmental interest. Access to a nonpublic forum ... can be restricted as long as the restrictions are reasonable and [are] not an effort to suppress expression merely because public officials oppose the speaker’s view.

Cornelius, 473 U.S. at 800, 105 S.Ct. 3439 (citations and internal quotations omitted).

The Complaint alleges that Defendants terminated Plaintiffs site-specific participation in the AAH Program because of political pressure, the content of Plaintiffs speech, and the viewpoint of Plaintiffs organization. Compl., ¶¶ 14-15. The Court concludes that the First Amendment protects Plaintiffs participation in the AAH Program, and further, that the Complaint alleges that Defendants opened Plaintiffs site-specific location as a forum for speech. For the purposes of the motion to dismiss, the Court concludes that it is not necessary to determine the precise nature of the AAH forum, as such a determination involves a fact sensitive inquiry into the government’s intent in opening the forum as well as other factors. See Cornelius, 473 U.S. at 802, 105 S.Ct. 3439 (to determine the nature of a forum, a court must consider the intent of the government, the policy and practice of the government, the nature of the property, as well as other factors); DiLoreto, 196 F.3d at 965-66. However, after reviewing the Complaint, the Court concludes that the allegations that Defendants revoked Plaintiffs permit without process and in a viewpoint biased manner plausibly allege a violation of the First Amendment, and put Defendants on fair notice of the First Amendment claim against them. See Bell Atlantic, 127 S.Ct. at 1965, 127 S.Ct. 1955 (a claim should not be dismissed where the allegations raise the right to relief above the speculative level).

Defendants’ motions to dismiss Plaintiffs First Amendment claim is DENIED.

b. Equal Protection

The Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment provides that “[n]o State shall ... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” In this case, Plaintiff alleges that Defendants terminated Plaintiffs site-specific AAH Program permit “arbitrarily, capriciously and based upon the unfettered discretion given to the Defendants” in violation of Plaintiffs right to equal protection. Compl., ¶ 15(2).

Defendants contend that Plaintiffs claim for violation of the right to equal protection must be dismissed because Plaintiff is not a member of a suspect class, cannot articulate a fundamental interest in the AAH Program at any specific location, and the State has a legitimate interest in protecting the safety of the traveling public. Plaintiff contends that it has properly stated a claim for violation of its right to equal protection because it has alleged that Defendants terminated Plaintiffs AAH permit arbitrarily and in consideration of Plaintiffs viewpoint and position on immigration.

As in Police Dep’t of the City of Chicago v. Mosley, 408 U.S. 92, 95, 92 S.Ct. 2286, 33 L.Ed.2d 212 (1972), “the equal protection claim in this case is closely intertwined with First Amendment interests,” since Plaintiffs participation in the AAH Program involves protected speech and Plaintiff alleges that Defendants are treating Plaintiff differently because of Plaintiffs viewpoint. Defendants’ motion to dismiss seeks a final determination of Plaintiffs rights to equal protection under the facts of this case, however, the Court concludes that such a determination is not appropriate on a motion to dismiss. “To survive a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6), a complaint generally must satisfy only the minimal notice pleading requirements of Rule 8(a)(2),” and that rule “requires only that the complaint include ‘a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.’ ” Porter, 319 F.3d at 494. The Court concludes that the Complaint plausibly alleges a violation of Plaintiffs right to equal protection, see Mosley, 408 U.S. at 95, 92 S.Ct. 2286, and puts Defendant on fair notice of the equal protection claim against it.

Defendants’ motion to dismiss Plaintiffs equal protection claim is DENIED.

c. Due Process

“The requirements of procedural due process apply only to the deprivation of interests encompassed by the Fourteenth Amendment’s protection of liberty and property.” Bd. of Regents v. Roth, 408 U.S. 564, 569, 92 S.Ct. 2701, 33 L.Ed.2d 548 (1972). “When protected interests are implicated, the right to some kind of a prior hearing is paramount.” Id. at 569-70, 92 S.Ct. 2701. “To determine whether due process requirements apply in the first place,” a court looks to “the nature of the interest at stake,” to determine whether the “interest is within the Fourteenth Amendment’s protection of liberty and property.” Id. at 570-71, 92 S.Ct. 2701.

“ ‘Liberty’ and ‘property’ are broad and majestic terms ... purposely left to gather meaning from experience.” Id. at 571, 92 S.Ct. 2701. The United States Supreme Court has “made clear that the property interests protected by procedural due process extend well beyond actual ownership of real estate, chattels, or money.” Id. at 572, 92 S.Ct. 2701. Similarly, the Court “has required due process protection for deprivations of liberty beyond the sort of formal constraints imposed by the criminal process.” Id. Where a State directly impinges upon interests in “free speech,” the United States Supreme Court “has on occasion held that opportunity for a fair adversary hearing must precede the action, whether or not the speech ... interest is clearly protected under substantive First Amendment standards.” Id. at 575 n. 14, 92 S.Ct. 2701.

“To state a procedural due process claim, plaintiffs must plead facts that establish: (1) the deprivation of a constitutionally protected liberty or property interest; and (2) the denial of adequate procedural protections.” Good News Emple. Assoc. v. Hicks, No. C 03-3542 VRW, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 30371, * 52-53 (N.D.Cal. Mar. 16, 2004) (citing Brewster v. Bd. of Educ. Of Lynwood Unified Sch. Dist., 149 F.3d 971, 982 (9th Cir.1998)). In this case, Plaintiff alleges that Defendants revoked Plaintiffs site-specific AAH Program permit in violation of Plaintiffs constitutional right to free speech without allowing Plaintiff a hearing. Compl, ¶ 15(3). Plaintiff further alleges that Defendants terminated Plaintiffs permit pursuant to Defendants’ “unfettered discretion,” and that Defendants “did not follow their own policies and procedures in removing plaintiffs sign.” Compl., ¶ 15(2)-(3).

The Court concludes that Plaintiff has pled sufficient facts so as to plausibly allege a violation of its right to due process. Not only is the right to be free from unconstitutional restrictions on speech a liberty interest protected by due process, see Bd. of Regents, 408 U.S. at 575 n. 14, 92 S.Ct. 2701, but the requirements of due process are violated where a law “conditions the free exercise of First Amendment rights on the ‘unbridled discretion’ of government officials.” Gaudiya Vaishnava Soc. v. San Francisco, 952 F.2d 1059, 1065 (1991) (citing Lakewood v. Plain Dealer Pub. Co., 486 U.S. 750, 756-758, 108 S.Ct. 2138, 100 L.Ed.2d 771 (1988)); Brewster, 149 F.3d at 983; Comcast of Calif. v. City of San Jose, No. 5:03-cv-02532-RS, 2004 WL 3080347, *3-4, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 26363, *18-21 (N.D.Cal. Aug. 23, 2004). In addition, the Complaint plausibly alleges a property interest in the AAH program permit itself, which Plaintiff alleges Defendants revoked without process or a hearing, and in violation of Defendants’ own policies and procedures.

Defendants’ motion to dismiss Plaintiffs due process claim is DENIED.

d. § 1983 Claims

In order to state a claim for violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a Plaintiff must allege “(1) that the conduct complained of was committed by a person acting under color of state law; and (2) that the conduct deprived the plaintiff of a constitutional right.” Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep’t, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir.1988).

The Complaint asserts claims against Defendants Kempton and Orso-Delgado in their individual capacities for violation of Plaintiffs constitutional rights to free speech, equal protection, and due process. Compl., ¶¶ 18-20. The Complaint further alleges that Defendants Kempton and Orso-Delgado acted under color of state law. Compl., ¶¶ 5-6.

The Court has previously concluded that the Complaint properly states claims for relief for violations of Plaintiffs constitutional rights. Accordingly, and because Plaintiff has asserted claims against Defendants Kempton and Orso-Delgado in their individual capacities for actions taken under color of State law, the Court concludes that Plaintiff has properly asserted claims pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The Court concludes that Defendants’ claim of qualified immunity is more appropriately resolved at summary judgment as opposed to at the motion to dismiss stage of these proceedings. See Morley v. Walker, 175 F.3d 756, 761 (9th Cir.1999).

Defendants’ motion to dismiss (Doc. # 19) is GRANTED in part, and DENIED in part as follows. Defendants’ motion to dismiss Defendant Caltrans on Eleventh Amendment immunity grounds is GRANTED. Defendants’ motion to dismiss claims for damages against Defendants Bonner, Kempton, and Orso-Delgado in their official capacities is GRANTED. In all other respects, Defendants’ motion to dismiss (Doc. # 19) is DENIED.

II. Motion For Preliminary Injunction (Doc. # 19)

A. Factual Background

Plaintiff San Diego Minutemen is an association whose mission statement is:

Declaration of Jeff Schwilk (Schwilk Decl.), ¶ 3.

On September 18, 2007, Plaintiff San Diego Minutemen applied to be part of Caltrans’ Adopt-A-Highway Program. Schwilk Decl., Ex. 5. The “Mission and Vision” of the AAH Program is to “[partner with California’s citizens to provide motorists with clean and beautiful roadsides,” and the goals of the Program are to “maximize the number of active adoptions,” “improve the Department [of Transportation’s] image,” and “improve citizens’ pride in their communities,” among other things. Adopt-A-Highway Program Guidelines & Coordinator’s Handbook (Doc. # 19-4 at 1-1). The AAH Program is open to “[i]ndividuals, businesses, corporations, and organizations, except for entities that advocate violence, violation of the law, or discrimination based upon race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical handicap, medical condition, marital status, age, sex, or sexual orientation....” (Doc. # 19-4 at 1-2).

The Adopt-A-Highway Program recognizes participants by erecting courtesy signs on a participant’s adopted highway-segment. (Doc. # 19 at 2-1). With respect to the courtesy signs, the Adopt-Highway Program Guidelines and Coordinators Handbook states that:

Although there is advertising value inherent in the recognition panels, they are not intended to be an advertising medium. Their purpose is to recognize who is providing the adoption service, not what service they provide, what products they sell, or where they are located. The Adopt-A-Highway Program and its courtesy signs are not a forum for advertisement or public discourse.

(Doc. # 19-4 at 2-1) (emphasis in original).

On or around November 19, 2007, Cal-trans admitted Plaintiff into the AAH Program, and awarded Plaintiff an AAH encroachment permit. Schwilk Decl., ¶¶ 4-5. The encroachment permit identified Plaintiffs litter-removal area as “ll-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B,” which corresponds to an area along Interstate 5 in San Onofre, California. Schwilk Decl., ¶ 8 & Exs. 3, 5. Segment ll-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B is bisected by the San Onofre U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint and California Highway Patrol facility. Schwilk Decl., ¶ 8 & Exs. 3, 5; Deposition of Pedro Orso-Delgado at 10-11. On or around November 19, 2007, Defendants erected one or two courtesy signs at segment ll-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B to recognize Plaintiffs participation in the AAH Program.

On or around January 15, 2008, members of the Asian, Black, and Latino Caucuses in the California State Assembly informed Defendants that they were “extremely upset” that Plaintiff San Diego Minutemen was allowed to participate in the AAH Program, and noted that the Caucuses were planning to “take [Defendants] on.” Caltrans Internal E-mail (Doc. # 31, Ex. 1 at 19); Orso-Delgado Depos. at 86. On or around January 15, 2008, Defendants received an e-mail from Enrique Morones of “Border Angels/Gente United,” which “demand[ed]” that Plaintiffs AAH Program courtesy signs be “REMOVED, PERIOD!” and noted that “WE DO NOT ACCEPT THE SAN DIEGO MINUTEMAN SIGNAGE ANY WHERE.” E-mail From Enrique Morones to Defendant Orso-Delgado (Doc. # 31, Ex. 1 at 18) (emphasis in original); Orso-Delgado Depos. at 102-03. Morones’ e-mail characterized Plaintiff as a “racist hate group[ ],” and noted that having a sign recognizing Plaintiffs group on a freeway was a “major distraction and could attract disruptive actions ... that could be a major safety concern.” (Doc. # 31, Ex. 1 at 18). Defendants received other communications from persons and groups opposed to Plaintiffs participation in the AAH Program. Deposition of William Allan Kempton (Kempton Depos.) at 10; Orso-Delgado Depos. at 37.

On or after January 15, 2008, Defendant Will Kempton met with members of the Latino Legislative Caucus, including Senator Gil Sedillo, Assembly Member Joe Codo, and Assembly Member Lori Saldania, regarding Plaintiffs participation in the Adopt-A-Highway Program. Kempton Depos. at 17-18; (Doc. # 32, Ex. 2 at 5). Kempton testified that the members of the Latino Legislative Caucus “expressed concern” that the AAH Program would allow a group which advocates violent behavior to participate, and Assembly Member Saldania noted that members of Plaintiffs organization “intentionally attempted to obstruct community events in her district.” Kempton Depos. at 18-21; (Doc. # 32, Ex. 2 at 5). In a follow-up letter to Kempton dated January 24, 2008, the Latino Legislative Caucus noted that they would “continue to insist that the history of discrimination and violence by the Minutemen is enough evidence to permanently ban this organization from ever participating in the Adopt-A-Highway Program.” (Doc. # 32, Ex. 2 at 5); Kempton Depos. at 24.

On or about January 17, 2008, members of Plaintiff San Diego Minutemen collected litter along their assigned portion of Interstate 5 in compliance with the encroachment permit. Schwilk Decl., ¶ 5 & Ex. 2. During the time that Plaintiffs members picked up trash, there was no “commotion or violence.” Schwilk Decl., ¶ 5.

On or before January 23, 2008, Defendants Kempton and Orso-Delgado revoked Plaintiffs site-specific AAH Program permit and thereafter removed Plaintiffs AAH Program courtesy signs from Interstate 5. Orso-Delgado Depos. at 8-9; Kempton Depos. at 14, 18-19, 47; Schwilk Decl., Ex. 7. Orso-Delgado and Kempton each testified at deposition that the intent was to relocate Plaintiffs courtesy signs to another location, however, Orso-Delgado stated that Defendant Caltrans removed Plaintiffs courtesy signs and did not reinstall them at another location. Orso-Delgado Depos. at 2; Kempton Depos. at 25. With respect to Plaintiff site-specific AAH Program permit, Defendant Kempton stated at deposition that, “[technically, that existing permit was revoked.” Kempton Depos. at 47-48.

Pursuant to the California Department of Transportation Adopt-A-Highway Program Guidelines and Coordinator’s Handbook, Adopt-A-Highway Program “permits may be cancelled for several reasons, including:”

—Permitee requests cancellation.

—Permit violations.

—Site fails to meet current site review criteria.

—Majority of site undergoing long-term construction.

(Doc. # 19-4 at 3-16). In addition, the Handbook states the following:

Four steps must be taken when cancel-ling or revoking Adopfi-A-Highway encroachment permits. District AAH Coordinators must:

1. Inform the Permitee by telephone (or in person) that, effective immediately, they may no longer perform Adopt-A-Highway tasks. An explanation for the action must be given.

2. Follow up the initial notification with a letter stating why the permit is being cancelled and the date that the cancellation became effective.

3. Forward a request for the permit’s cancellation to the District Permits Branch. The request must include the reason for the request and copies of any warning and/or cancellation letters must be attached.

4. Submit a work order for removal of the recognition panel. Note: a contractor, whose permit has been revoked, would no longer have legal right to enter the right of way to remove a panel.

(Doc. # 19-4 at 3-16).

Defendants initially revoked Plaintiffs permit and attempted to relocate Plaintiffs AAH Program courtesy sign because of “safety” concerns. Kempton Depos. at 14. With respect to those concerns, Kempton stated at deposition that,

My concern was, given the volatility of this issue, from my perspective, that we had the prospects of a confrontation that might occur at that location between the folks that would actually be out there cleaning up the highway under the permit and other individuals who might disagree with them, that there could be potentially a problem with people traveling by the site, throwing objects at the folks actually doing the litter pickup, or someone just stopping along the roadway, which is a dangerous situation in and of itself, to cut down a sign that had the Minutemen adoption listed on it.

Kempton Depos. at 13. Kempton stated the there was a risk of confrontation on Interstate 5 if Plaintiffs sign remained because of “the Minutemen’s concern about immigration and the fact that there would be significant traffic along that corridor, including immigrant traffic.... ” Kempton Depos. at 13. When asked how “relocating” Plaintiffs sign to another location would alleviate the safety concerns, Kempton stated that, “relocating the sign takes the sign and the Adopt-A-Highway section away from a location which might result in some controversy or controversial acts and puts it on another location of the State highway system where that kind of confrontation is certainly less likely to occur.” Kempton Depos. at 25. Kempton noted that confrontations were less likely to occur at other AAH locations when compared to segment 11-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B because of the concentration of “immigration traffic” at segment 11-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B, which would be “in very close proximity to a sign that could inspire some controversy.” Kempton Depos. at 25. Orso-Delgado stated that Defendants identified another location for Plaintiffs participation in the AAH Program on State Route 52, and noted that it was a “better” location “because we don’t have the amount of traffic. We don’t have a [California Highway Patrol] facility nor a Border Patrol facility.” Orso-Delgado Depos. at 24, 10-11. Orso-Delgado noted that Plaintiffs name on the AAH Program sign represents Plaintiffs message — a message Orso-Delgado characterized as “wanting] people to be here legally” — and indicated that Plaintiffs message was part of a “big debate” which Defendants did not want to happen “on the side of 1-5 where, you know, god forbid, that an accident or anything like that could happen because of it.” Orso-Delgado Depos. at 13.

Defendant Kempton made the decision to relocate Plaintiffs sign and characterized that decision and the conclusion that Plaintiffs sign created safety concerns as “subjective.” Kempton Depos. at 13-14. When asked to identify the criteria used to select another location for Plaintiffs sign, Kempton stated, “I did not personally use any criteria.” Kempton Depos. at 14. Kempton noted that,

It just seemed that we needed to relocate [Plaintiffs AAH Program courtesy] sign to a location that was less significant with respect to an immigration facility in close proximity to an area of highway adopted by the Minutemen group.

Kempton Depos. at 14. With respect to the decision to revoke Plaintiffs site-specific AAH Program permit, Defendant Orso-Delgado testified at deposition that there was a procedure in the AAH Program guidelines for revoking a permit which Defendants followed. Orso-Delgado Depos. at 30-32. However, when asked to identify the procedures at deposition, Orso-Delgado conceded that he didn’t know the procedures. Orso-Delgado Depos. at 32-33. When shown a copy of the AAH Program Guidelines and Coordinator’s Handbook, Orso-Delgado admitted that he had never reviewed it. Orso-Delgado Depos. at 37.

On January 28, 2008, Plaintiff received a letter from Defendant Orso-Delgado notifying Plaintiff that Plaintiffs encroachment permit “is hereby modified,” and that “the related courtesy sign will be removed.” Schwilk Decl., Ex. 3. The letter noted that,

Schwilk Decl., Ex. 3. The letter further noted that Plaintiffs participation in the AAH Program at the location in San Onofre, posed “a significant risk of disruption to the operation of the State highway, as well as public safety concerns for both the traveling public and the participants in the AAH Program.” Schwilk Decl., Ex. 3.

In addition to safety concerns, the revocation letter of January 28, 2008, stated that Caltrans was “currently examining allegations of violent behavior and/or advocacy of violence by [Plaintiffs] group.” Schwilk, Ex. 3. The letter informed Plaintiff that,

Schwilk Decl., Ex. 3.

On or after January 28, 2008, Defendants removed Plaintiffs AAH Program courtesy signs from their location along Interstate 5 in San Onofre, California. Schwilk Decl, ¶ 3. Defendant Kempton stated at deposition that Plaintiffs site-specific AAH Program permit was a “contract” that had been “revoked.” Kempton Depos. at 47-48.

On or after March 18, 2008, and approximately two or three months after Defendants revoked Plaintiffs site-specific AAH Program permit and removed Plaintiffs courtesy sign from AAH Program segment 11-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B, Defendant Orso-Delgado removed section 11-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B from the AAH Program altogether. Orso-Delgado Depos. at 20-21. Orso-Delgado concluded that retaining AAH Program segments near U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints and other law enforcement facilities created an unacceptable safety risk given the extra traffic in those areas. Orso-Delgado Depos. at 10-11, 24, 70. Orso-Delgado consulted with Caltrans Chief Deputy of Maintenance and Operations Bill Valle and asked Valle to identify AAH Program segments similarly situated to segment 11-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B so that Defendants could remove those segments from the AAH Program. Orso-Delgado Depos. at 21. At the time of his deposition, Defendant Orso-Delgado knew of other segments in the AAH Program “with similar situations,” and testified that those segments would be removed from the AAH Program for safety reasons. Orso-Delgado Depos. at 70. Orso-Delgado testified, however, that segments similarly situated to segment number 11-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B — i.e., those segments associated with U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints and other commercial vehicle enforcement facilities — would not be removed from the AAH Program until the current permit lapsed or the adoptee left the AAH Program. Orso-Delgado Depos. at 21-22, 69-70, 88. For example, Orso-Delgado indicated that the south-bound segment of Interstate 5 directly across from segment ll-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B would be removed for safety reasons “when the segment lapses.” Orso-Delgado Depos. at 22.

Orso-Delgado testified at deposition with respect to the reasons and justification for allowing AAH Program participants with permits for locations similar to segment 11-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B to remain in the AAH Program until their permits lapsed, but requiring Plaintiff to relocate immediately:

Q. What about the other side of the interstate [5] across [from Plaintiffs segment] — let’s see. That would be the Southbound side.

A. Yes, sir.

Q. Are you going to remove that from the system as well?

A. When the segment lapses, yes, we will.

Q. Well, if it is unsafe, why are you waiting for the segment to lapse? A. It hasn’t created the controversy that [Plaintiffs segment] did.

Q. Okay. So we’re back to the sign— the message of [Plaintiffs] sign creating controversy?

A. Uh-Huh.

Q. “Yes”?

A. Yes.

Orso-Delgado Depos. at 22.

In revoking Plaintiffs site-specific AAH Program permit, Defendants investigated Plaintiffs organization to determine if the organization was discriminatory or violent. Orso-Delgado Depos. at 86-87; Kempton Depos. at 23-24. During the investigation, Kempton testified that he did not see anything about Plaintiffs organization that advocated “racism,” “hatred,” or “violent behavior.” Kempton Depos. at 23-24. In removing AAH Program segment 11-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B from the AAH Program, Orso-Delgado was aware that neither the California Highway Patrol nor the AAH Program had encountered any problems at the location previously. Orso-Delgado Depos. at 26, 40. Segment 11-SD-005 / 66.3-68.3 N/B “had been adoptable for years and ha[d] a clean slate with past volunteers.” Orso-Delgado Depos. at 26; (Doc. # 31, Ex. 1 at 19).

B. Standard of Review — Motion for Preliminary Injunction

Fed.R.Civ.P. 65(a) provides that the court may issue a preliminary injunction upon notice to the adverse party.

“Preliminary injunctive relief is available to a party who demonstrates either (1) a combination of probable success on the merits and the possibility of irreparable harm; or (2) that serious questions are raised and the balance of hardships tips in its favor.” Sammartano, 303 F.3d at 965 (citing A & M Records, Inc. v. Napster, Inc., 239 F.3d 1004, 1013 (9th Cir.2001)); see also Preminger v. Principi, 422 F.3d 815, 822-23 (9th Cir.2005); Requa v. Kent School Dist., 492 F.Supp.2d 1272, 1276-77 (W.D.Wash.2007). “Each of these two formulations requires an examination of both the potential merits of the asserted claims and the harm or hardships faced by the parties,” and in practice, “these two formulations represent two points on a sliding scale in which the required degree of irreparable harm increases as the probability of success decreases.” Sammartano, 303 F.3d at 965. “[I]n cases where the public interest is involved, the district court must also examine whether the public interest favors the plaintiff.” Sammartano, 303 F.3d at 965; see also Preminger, 422 F.3d at 823.

“While the basic function of a preliminary injunction is to preserve the status quo pending a determination of the action on the merits, ... the status quo is not simply any situation before the filing of the lawsuit, but rather the last uncontested status that preceded the parties’ controversy.” Dep’t of Parks & Rec. v. Bazaar Del Mundo, Inc., 448 F.3d 1118, 1124 (9th Cir.2006); see GoTo.Com v. Walt Disney Co., 202 F.3d 1199, 1210 (9th Cir.2000) (“[T]he status quo ante litem refers ... to the last uncontested status which preceded the pending controversy.”). In this case, the last uncontested status which preceded this controversy is that time at which Plaintiff possessed an AAH Program permit and Plaintiffs courtesy signs were displayed at segment 11-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B.

C. First Amendment

Plaintiff contends that it is entitled to a preliminary injunction ordering Defendants to reissue Plaintiffs AAH Program permit for segment ll-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B and reinstall Plaintiffs AAH Program courtesy signs reading “San Diego Minutemen” because Defendants revoked Plaintiffs permit and removed Plaintiffs courtesy sign unreasonably and in a viewpoint biased manner in violation of Plaintiffs First Amendment rights.

1. Probability of Success on the Merits

This Court has already concluded that participation in the AAH Program is “sufficiently imbued with elements of communication” so as to be protected by the First Amendment. See supra Opinion Section 1(C)(3)(a); Hungerbeeler, 370 F.3d at 744 (“Participation in the AAH program ... does entail some degree of private ‘speech’ protected by the First Amendment.”); Cuffley, 44 F.Supp.2d at 1026 (same); Knights of the KKK, 807 F.Supp. at 1435-36 (same). Accordingly, the Court needs to determine the scope of protection which AAH Program participants enjoy in light of the facts of this case.

The Constitution does not require the Government to “freely grant access to all who wish to exercise their right to free speech on every type of Government property without regard to the nature of the property or to the disruption that might be caused by the speaker’s activities.” Cornelius, 473 U.S. at 799-800, 105 S.Ct. 3439. “In assessing a First Amendment claim relating to speech on government property, the first step is to ‘identify the nature of the forum, because the extent to which the Government may limit access depends on whether the forum is public or nonpublic.’ ” Sammartano, 303 F.3d at 965 (citing Cornelius, 473 U.S. at 797, 105 S.Ct. 3439); DiLoreto, 196 F.3d at 964. “ ‘Forum analysis divides government property into three categories: [traditional] public fora, designated public fora, and nonpublic fora.’ ” DiLoreto, 196 F.3d at 964 (citing Children of the Rosary, 154 F.3d at 976).

Because a principal purpose of traditional public fora is the free exchange of ideas, speakers can be excluded from a public forum only when the exclusion is necessary to serve a compelling state interest and the exclusion is narrowly drawn to achieve that interest. Similarly, when the Government has intentionally designated a place or means of communication as a public forum speakers cannot be excluded without a compelling governmental interest. Access to a nonpublic forum ... however, can be restricted as long as the restrictions are reasonable and [are] not an effort to suppress expression merely because public officials oppose the speaker’s view.

Cornelius, 473 U.S. at 800, 105 S.Ct. 3439 (citations and internal quotations omitted); see also Sammartano, 303 F.3d at 965. The Supreme Court has used the term “ ‘limited public forum’ to refer to a type of nonpublic forum that the government intentionally has opened to certain groups or to certain topics.” DiLoreto, 196 F.3d at 965. “In a limited public forum, restrictions that are viewpoint neutral and reasonable in light of the purpose served by the forum are permissible.” Id.

In defining the relevant forum for the purposes of the First Amendment, the focus is on “the access sought by the speaker.” Cornelius, 473 U.S. at 801, 105 S.Ct. 3439; see also DiLoreto, 196 F.3d at 965 (“The relevant forum is defined by the access sought by the speaker.”). In this case, Plaintiff seeks reissuance of its site-specific permit to AAH Program segment 11-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B and restoration of Plaintiffs AAH Program courtesy signs at segment 11-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B. Accordingly, the Court concludes that the relevant forum for the purposes of the First Amendment is AAH Program segment 11-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B.

“While public places historically associated with the free exercise of expressive activities, such as streets, sidewalks and parks, are considered public fora, not all publicly owned property becomes a public forum simply because the public is permitted to come and go at the site.” Sammartano, 303 F.3d at 966 (internal quotations and citations omitted). “ ‘The government, no less than a private owner of property, has the power to preserve the property under its control for the use to which it is lawfully dedicated.’ ” Id. (citing United States v. Grace, 461 U.S. 171, 178, 103 S.Ct. 1702, 75 L.Ed.2d 736 (1983)). “It is the location and purpose of the property and the government’s subjective intent in having the property built and maintained, that is crucial to determining the nature of the property for forum analysis.” Id. (citations omitted).

Chapter 2 of the Adopt-A-Highway Program Guidelines and Coordinators Handbook outlines the purpose of the AAH Program and its courtesy signs. (Doc. # 19-4). The Handbook states that the AAH Program courtesy signs are intended to recognize and identify contributors to the AAH Program. (Doc. # 19-4 at 2-1). In addition, the Handbook notes that,

Athough there is advertising value inherent in the recognition panels, they are not intended to be an advertising medium.... The Adopt-A-Highway Program and its courtesy signs are not a forum for advertisement or public discourse.

(Doc. # 19-4 at 2-1). The Court concludes that Defendants’ purpose and intent in creating the AAH Program and segment ll-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B was to recognize participants to the public and not to create a traditional or designated public forum.

Aside from the State’s intent in creating the AAH Program, the Court concludes that the nature and location of segment ll-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B weighs against a finding that it is a traditional public or designated public forum. Though there are elements of protected speech and expression in participating in the AAH Program, the nature of that speech and expression is necessarily limited. AAH Program participants must follow strict rules when picking up trash, see (Doc. # 19-4 at 8-1 to 8-5), and the content and appearance of the AAH Program courtesy signs are strictly regulated-e.g., “[Recognition panel elements are limited to name, logo, or both of an adopter.” (Doc. # 19A1 at 2-7 to 2-10) (emphasis in original). In addition, the goals of the AAH Program-to provide motorists with clean and beautiful roadsides and to maximize adoptions, among other things-do not suggest that the forum requires the freedoms associated with traditional or designated public fora. (Doc. # 19-4 at 1-1). Finally, the location of segment 11-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B on the Interstate 5 freeway near San Onofre, is not as compatible with the nature of expressive activity expected at a traditional public or designated public forum, such as assembly, debating, and protesting, as would be, for instance, a public square or park, because segment 11-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B is located on the shoulder of a major freeway with high-speed vehicular traffic. See Hopper v. City of Pasco, 241 F.3d 1067, 1078 (9th Cir.2001).

After review of the record before the Court, particularly evidence bearing on the State’s intent in creating the AAH Program and the location and nature of the forum, the Court concludes that AAH Program segment ll-SD-005 PM 66.3-68.3 N/B is a nonpublic forum. See Texas v. Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, 58 F.3d 1075, 1078-79 (5th Cir.1995) (concluding that an AAH Program is a nonpublic forum); Cuffley, 44 F.Supp.2d at 1027 (same); Robb v. Hungerbeeler, 281 F.Supp.2d 989, 1000-01 (E.D.Mo.2003) (same); see also Preminger, 422 F.3d at 824 (noting that a Veterans Administration building was a nonpublic forum primarily because the government did not intend to create a public forum).

“The test for determining the constitutionality of limitations on speech in a nonpublic forum ... is the two-part test set forth by the Court in Cornelius: Restrictions on free expression in a nonpublic forum are constitutional only if the distinctions drawn (1) are ‘reasonable in light of the purposes served by the forum’ and (2) are ‘viewpoint neutral.’ ” Sammartano, 303 F.3d at 966 (citing Cornelius, 473 U.S. at 806, 105 S.Ct. 3439).

a. Reasonableness

“The ‘reasonableness’ requirement for restrictions on speech in a nonpublic forum ‘requires more of a showing than does the traditional rational basis test; i.e., it is not the same as establishing that the regulation is rationally related to a legitimate governmental objective, as might be the case for the typical exercise of the government’s police power.” Sammartano, 303 F.3d at 966-67 (citing Tucker v. State of Calif. Dep’t of Educ., 97 F.3d 1204, 1215 (9th Cir.1996)); Preminger, 422 F.3d at 824. “There must be evidence in the record to support a determination that the restriction is reasonable,” in other words, “there must be evidence that the restriction reasonably fulfills a legitimate need.” Id. “The government need not choose the least restrictive alternative when regulating speech in a nonpublic forum, ... [h]owever, its failure to select simply available alternatives suggests that the ban it has enacted is not reasonable.” Id. (citations omitted).

Defendants assert two justifications for their decision to revo