Spanberger Halts Renewals of Robert E. Lee License Plates

Virginia is putting the brakes on its Robert E. Lee specialty license plates. Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed a bill from Democratic Del. Dan Helmer that will stop the state from renewing the commemorative plates, which have funneled some proceeds to the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a neo-Confederate group. The plates, featuring the Confederate general, had long been part of Virginia's broader and often contentious Confederate legacy, reports WAVY. They have not been issued since 2015, and will now be defunct upon their expiration, notes 13NewsNow.

In a statement, Helmer framed the move as a matter of principle, calling the Confederacy "a four year period in which traitors hellbent on preserving slavery tried—and then failed—to divide the Union. The Confederacy and its leaders do not deserve our commemoration, and its adherents certainly do not deserve taxpayer dollars." The bill was signed a day ahead of the 161st anniversary of Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse.