Alaska Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka has released the following statement:
“Over the weekend, we were made aware several Alaskans were concerned about messages conveyed on Alaska personalized vehicle registration plates. The plates in question had previously been recalled by the DMV, and the DMV issued replacement standard plates to be displayed. We are notifying law enforcement that these plates are unauthorized by the DMV.”
She is referring to at least two license plates that were noted on social media by Recall Dunleavy Committee attorneys — one plate says “FUHRER” and the other “3REICH.” These plates may refer to Nazi beliefs.
“The Alaska DMV has strict guidelines and protocols for issuing personalized license plates, which prohibit references to violence, drugs, law enforcement, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and other government entities. The DMV has a recall process in place should a plate be issued that later is determined to be inappropriate or offensive, which was used in this circumstance,” Tshibaka said.
“I am ordering a review of DMV guidelines and processes to determine how these plates were issued and to ensure that Alaska’s personalized plate program continues to protect the public’s interest – both in terms of preventing inappropriate messages, and also the state’s obligation to protect Alaskans’ constitutional rights to free speech,” Tshibaka said.
Any Alaskan who wishes to provide input on these processes is encouraged to do so by e-mailing the Department of Administration at [email protected].
