Confederate flag license plate rejected by Texas DMV

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles has rejected a proposal by the Sons of Confederate Veterans for a license plate bearing the Confederate battle flag, according to The New York Times. Members of the governing board for the Texas DMV unanimously voted against the design after nearly two-hours of testimony from both sides of the issue. The Sons of Confederate Veterans had hoped to used funds from sales of the plates for memorial and history projects, but opponents said that the Confederate battle flag is a symbol of Texas' racist past. Shortly after rejecting the plate, the DMV governing body voted for a plate for the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans, meanwhile, say that the group will likely sue to have the plates issued. The group has won similar lawsuits in North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland.