Alaska legislator Jamie Allard was removed from her position on the state human rights commission on Tuesday after posting comments on social media defending the use of Nazi phrases on two modified Alaska license plates.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy (R) called for Allard’s removal after the incident.
“Ms. Allard’s comments about the license plate controversy have become a distraction to the Human Rights Commission and its mission to ensure equality and fair treatment for all Alaskans,” Dunleavy spokesman Jeff Turner wrote in a statement to Alaska Public Media. “Governor Dunleavy felt it was in the best interest of the board to dismiss her with immediate effect.”
The license plates in question contain the phrases ‘FUHRER’ and ‘3REICH’, both words closely related to Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler. Photos of the plates were circulated on social media, sparking calls for them to be withdrawn, Alaska Public Media reported.
Allard, who is also a member of Anchorage Assembly District 2, responded to the photos on her since-deleted Facebook page, stating that the words “fuhrer” and “reich” are just German words without any negative or offensive connotation, Alaska Public Media said. reported.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve Alaskans, both in the Anchorage Assembly and previously on the Human Rights Commission. I unequivocally condemn racism in any form and support the committee’s mission 100%. In light of the recent attacks on me, I feel it is best to step aside so that the committee can focus on its work and give me more time to focus on my duties at the Assembly, “Allard said of her recent removal in a statement to Alaska Public Media.
The Alaska Department of Administration stated in a Facebook post on Monday that license plates have been recalled by the State Department of Motor Vehicles and that local law enforcement has been notified of the situation.
“We were informed that several Alaskans were concerned about messages being conveyed on personalized Alaska license plates. The license plates in question had previously been recalled by the DMV and the DMV issued replacement standard plates to be displayed,” the newspaper wrote. administration. “We are letting the police know that these plates are not authorized by the DMV.”
Updated at 10:22 AM