The DMV says it’s revoking a politically-charged custom license plate that’s been spotted in Brooklyn.
The plate reads HAMMAS, a slight misspelling of Hamas, a group that the U.S. recognizes as a terrorist organization.
It’s on a black Dodge that was parked in Bay Ridge Wednesday and had a Palestinian flag spread across the windshield.
The DMV says the plate should not have been issued.
“We are pulling this plate off the road as patently offensive,” Jackie McGinnis of the state Department of Motor Vehicles said in a statement. “The group represented by the name on the plate is also on the list of entities designated by the U.S. Government as a terrorist organization.”
People NY1 spoke to today were not riled up about it.
“It could be seen as provocative in some parts in Brooklyn if it was parked in certain areas, I guess. It doesn’t really bother me too much,” said one person.
“We are in a country where you’re allowed to do such things,” said another.
“I don’t understand purpose of that plate, I don’t understand purpose of not having that plate, but I want just general peace in the world,” said a third.
DMV regulations say the agency can refuse to issue a license plate it deems obscene, derogatory or offensive.