California DMV revokes 'LOLOCT7' license plate after backlash

The executive director of the organization that led the effort to get the Department of Motor Vehicles to recall a personalized license plate that appeared to mock the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel said Saturday the holder of the plate should get a new one despite his claim that there was no antisemitism involved.

"The license plate has rightfully been revoked and the owner should get a new plate," Liora Rez, the executive director of StopAntisemitism, said in a statement to City News Service on Saturday. "California DMV policy explicitly prohibits license plates that have `a negative connotation to a specific group' as well as those using `a foreign or slang word or term.'

"Regardless of the owner's intended meaning, the fact remains that this plate evokes antisemitic associations that are harmful and distressing to millions who witnessed the murder, rape, and torture of 10/7. The systemic failure to identify this issue at the point of approval underscores the urgent need for greater awareness within review processes.

"Antisemitism, in any form, is unacceptable and must be unequivocally condemned."

The vehicle was seen at the intersection of Jefferson Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard in Culver City, according to StopAntisemitism.

A son of the man with the plate said Friday it was merely an attempt by the truck owner to say he has seven grandchildren.

The license plate "LOLOCT7," stems from lolo, the word in Tagalog, the language used by Filipinos, for grandfather, the vehicle is a Tesla Cybertruck, and he has seven grandchildren, the man, whose name was not disclosed, told local media.

The explanation for the meaning of the plate was included in the application, as is required, the man said.

"We have great empathy for anyone that's experienced that hatred," the man said. "We'd really appreciate in turn for anyone that's seeing this or hearing this to have empathy towards our family because we have no ill intent."

StopAntisemitism, which bills itself as "a grassroots watchdog organization dedicated to exposing groups and individuals that espouse incitement towards the Jewish people and State and engage in antisemitic behaviors," on Thursday demanded the DMV recall the plate, believing LOL stood for laugh out loud and the plate celebrated "the October 7th terrorist attack - - a vile mockery of the 1,200 innocent lives lost and the countless others scarred," according to a post on the social network X.

The DMV announced later Thursday that it was "taking swift action to recall" the plate, which it called on X "unacceptable and disturbing."

There was no immediate response to an email sent after the close of customary business hours Friday to the DMV Office of Public Affairs.