IF there’s one thing members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses cult are good at is making utter nuisances of themselves in public places; places such as Department of Motor Vehicle centres.

But American Atheists spiked the guns this deplorable organisation last weekend when it set up stalls outside of two DMV centres in Richmond, Virginia, which are regularly haunted by the JWs.

According to American Atheists, their organisation had received multiple complaints that the JWs were proselytising outside various government facilities.

Said AA’s Virginia State Director Larry Mendoza:

We would rather that government property be free of religious speech altogether. However, to ensure religious equality for everyone, including atheists, I applied for equal access to two separate DMV locations, and will continue to request access on a regular basis

AA’s request was accepted by the Commissioner of the Virginia DMV Richard D Holcomb on September 11.

Mendoza said:

I applaud the Commissioner’s decision to promote religious diversity. No one group should completely take over a public location.

Last Saturday, Mendoza and Dusty Sabourin, Assistant State Director for Chesterfield and her local secular parenting group Little Heathens of RVA set up a table at the West Henrico DMV in Richmond. Said Sabourin:

I was surprised to see Jehovah’s Witnesses outside the DMV promoting their idea of family values, especially given how they treat those who have chosen to leave their religion. A large part of my group’s mission is to provide much needed community for people and families who have left religions like the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

That same day, American Atheists’ Assistant State Director for Virginia Beach Aiden Barnes and Assistant State Director for Newport News Matthew DeGrave set up a stall at the Hampton DMV on behalf of their local group, Southeastern Virginia Atheists, Skeptics & Humanists (a chapter of Washington Area Secular Humanists).

Said Barnes:

It was great to answer all of the passersby’s questions on atheism and the separation of religion and government. We are looking forward to holding this event again – and at even more locations.

DeGrave added:

We call on all religious minority communities – including Buddhists and Satanists – to make use of the DMV’s space. When Virginians hear all the different religious viewpoints that claim to be right, they’ll soon realize that none is.

American Atheists have a presence on Facebook – and more than 375,000 followers.