![Photo of car owned by Indiana man Chris Bontrager bearing an "Athe1st" vanity plate. Mr. Bontrager was initially denied the license plate but won an appeal after enlisting the aid of the ACLU. (Chris Bontrager/Elkhart Truth) [http://www.elkharttruth.com/news/goshen-man-receives-athe-st-license-plate-after-appealing-bmv/article_e73bd86c-c813-586e-ab3f-e4ab70980526.html]](https://twt-thumbs-staging.washtimes.com/media-staging.washtimes.com/media/image/2017/03/22/atheistlicenseplate640_c0-79-640-452_s885x516.jpg?86efa559f54a31a1256c46d532e85a5f453313f9)
ELKHART, Ind. (AP) — A Goshen man who was initially denied a personalized Indiana license plate reading “atheist” has received the plate after filing an appeal.
The Elkhart Truth reports the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles denied Chris Bontrager’s initial request in February.
The agency didn’t cite a specific reason it the denial letter it sent Bontrager. But it noted the agency could deny a personalized plate if it has a connotation offensive to good taste or decency, is misleading or deemed improper.
Bontrager believed the denial was religiously motivated and filed an appeal with the state. He says the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana helped his appeal process move quickly, without him having to testify before an appeals panel.
He received the new license plate on Monday.
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Information from: The Elkhart Truth, https://www.elkharttruth.com
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