Woman Sues After Officials Claim Vanity License Plate Is 'Offensive'

Leah Gilliam of Nashville, Tennessee is suing state officials after they claimed her vanity license plate was "offensive" and in violation of the law. Gilliam purchased the vanity plate ten years ago to celebrate her passions in astronomy and gaming. The plate "69PWNDU" combines the year 1969 (The year that Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon) and 'pwn' which is a common gaming term. The definition of 'PWNED' is: "a term that implies domination or humiliation of a rival, used primarily in the internet gaming culture to taunt an opponent who has just been soundly defeated."

Gilliam was told she could "apply for a different personalized plate or request a regular, non-personalized plate to replace the revoked plate and that she would be unable to renew her vehicle registration until the revoked plate has been returned.

Gilliam's attorney, Daniel A. Horwitz is fighting back. He made the statement, "Ms. Gilliam's harmless vanity plate is transparently protected by the First Amendment, and the only illegality involved is the Tennessee Department of Revenue's decision to violate her First Amendment rights."

See the the revoked license plate and see more on the story HERE


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