State Revokes Vanity Plates after Anti-Muslim Message

MINNEAPOLIS -- State officials have revoked nearly 40 vanity license plates after opening a review spurred by an anti-Muslim message on a plate.

The state Department of Public Safety launched the review after a plate that read "FMUSLIMS" was spotted earlier this year. The plate, issued in the central Minnesota city of Foley, appeared on social media before the Department of Public Safety revoked it. Gov. Mark Dayton commented that he was appalled by the plate.

The agency reviewed 98,500 personalized plates and ultimately flagged 49, ultimately revoking 39. Five owners opted to get new plates and three plates were deemed acceptable based on their owners' explanation.

Minnesota law prohibits any words or combination of letters that are of an obscene, indecent or immoral nature.