NJ Woman Who Wants '8THEIST' Custom License Plate Sues State Motor Vehicle Commission
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - A New Jersey atheist has filed a lawsuit, claiming the state's Motor Vehicle Commission violated her First Amendment right by rejecting her application for a personalized license plate.
Shannon Morgan, of Leesburg, filed the suit Thursday in federal court, saying the agency violated her First Amendment rights by rejecting a plate reading "8THEIST.''
NJ Woman Who Wants '8THEIST' Custom License Plate Sues State Motor Vehicle Commission
The Maurice River Township woman said she tried out "BAPTIST'' and those custom plates were approved through the online system.
Morgan said the online application for the "8THEIST" plate was denied because it was deemed "objectionable."
WCBS 880 reached out to the MVC on Good Friday and has not heard back.
A spokesperson told the Star Ledger that they review every request and said they've issues atheist-themed plates before.
Just last year, American Atheist president David Silverman of Cranford wanted "ATHE1ST" on his license plate. After initially denying the vanity plate, the MVC eventually allowed it.
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