A federal judge has rejected an effort to force the Department of Motor Vehicles board of directors to approve issuance of specialty license plates bearing the Confederate battle flag.
On April 12, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks of the Western District of Texas issued a take-nothing final judgment in Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Inc. et al v. Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board et al. The nonprofit Texas Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (Texas SCV), its lieutenant commander Granvel J. Block, and its past commander Ray W. James filed a complaint in 2011 against the remaining defendants, which include eight members of the board of directors of the Texas Division of Motor Vehicle in their official capacities. They alleged that the defendants violated their First Amendment rights by denying approval of the proposed plates. The plaintiffs also sought an injunction mandating approval of the proposed plates. Sparks denied the plaintiffs’ summary judgment motion and granted the defendants’ summary judgment motion on April 12.
