Friday News Clippings

DMV Rejects Confederate License Plates (Texas Tribune)

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles on Thursday unanimously rejected a controversial license plate commemorating the Sons of Confederate Veterans of Texas, but its decision is unlikely to be the end of the heated debate over the symbol many associate with slavery. Leaders of the veterans group said they plan to sue to have the speciality plate issued.

In a packed hearing room where opponents of the plate overwhelmingly outnumbered supporters, the DMV board heard emotional testimony from Texas lawmakers, pastors and veterans groups. U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, finished his testimony against the plate by leading the crowd in an impromptu recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.

The board today also approved a specialty license plate commemorating Buffalo Soldiers, cavalry units that were composed of African-American soldiers after the Civil War. (More coverage at Texas Tribune & Houston Chronicle)

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