Stop Book Bans Across the U.S

Campaigns (14)

• 

  Defend the Freedom to Read

  The attacks on books and on the freedom to learn are calculated to render our histories, our communities, and our families invisible. Through book challenges and bans, the far right is attempting to erase LGBTQ+ people and people of color—and we will not let them succeed. Together, we can make a difference. Will you join us and add your name to the petition? Here is the list of the celebrities and activists who have signed onto the letter so far: https://d1tdltywu8qogs.cloudfront.net/images/09-27-23-Name_List_Petition_Image-05.jpg

  54,919 of 75,000 Signatures

  Created by LeVar Burton
• 

  Stop book bans!

  Book bans are on the rise, with a small group of conservative parents and right-wing Republicans leading the drive to censor books about racial injustice, sexual identity and gender expression, and an honest look at American history. Just last year, 2,500 books were challenged, restricted, and even removed from shelves in schools and libraries across the country. And some places are even punishing teachers and threatening to prosecute librarians who dare to provide books that reflect the diversity of our country. That’s why MoveOn's Banned Bookmobile is traveling across the country to cities that are ground zero in the fight against book bans, and we want YOU to join us, virtually and in person. One way you can join this work: Add your name to our petition telling Florida Governor Ron DeSantis—who has been one of the most prominent ban proponents—fellow Republican governors and legislators, GOP candidates up and down the ballot, and other MAGA Republicans that we will not silently allow them to ban our books and censor our freedom to read. And demand that all governors and state legislators take proactive steps to fighting book bans and protecting our freedom to read!

  40,901 of 45,000 Signatures
• 

  Push Back Against Book Bans Paris Bo.Co. Public Library

  Lets protect our right to read and learn freely. Our Paris Bourbon County Library Puts Unity In Our Community.

  678 of 800 Signatures

  Created by Elizabeth Worick Sainte
• 

  Add "The Hill We Climb" to every recommended reading list in the country

  It only took one complaint and one week for a school in Miami-Dade County to restrict Amanda Gorman’s book—“The Hill We Climb”—and limit access for younger students. It was one book of several that an individual parent reported, citing that it was “not educational” and contained indirect hate speech. [1] Schools should not so swiftly censor literature based on the whims of individual parents. This is part of a sweeping trend across the country to ban and restrict books, often targeting authors and content from historically marginalized and underrepresented groups. And because of conservative laws being passed on the local and state level, it’s even easier in many places for a small but loud minority to challenge books—and win. In response to the incident, Amanda Gorman wrote: “The Hill We Climb is an inaugural poem for the world. Relocating it to older age group library shelves by its nature bars younger and equally deserving generations from accessing said moment in history.” [2] Amanda Gorman made history when she read “The Hill We Climb” at President Joe Biden’s inauguration—the youngest inaugural poet to date. People of all ages deserve to have access to her work and see themselves not only in the context of that moment, but also in the possibilities of the future. They, too, can make history. We refuse to allow one parent’s opinion to limit our children's freedom to read, learn, and imagine. Join us in calling on the Department of Education and State Education Departments to add “The Hill We Climb” to every associated recommended reading list in the country and to reaffirm the values of equality and access espoused in the mission of the DOE. [3] 1. “1 complaint led a Florida school to restrict access to Amanda Gorman’s famous poem,” NPR, May 25, 2023 https://www.npr.org/2023/05/24/1177877340/amanda-gorman-poem-restricted-miami-school 2. Amanda Gorman [@TheAmandaGorman], Tweet, May 24, 2023 https://twitter.com/TheAmandaGorman/status/1661590069982142465 3. "Overview and Mission Statement," U.S. Department of Education, Accessed June 20, 2023 https://www2.ed.gov/about/landing.jhtml Photo Source: Penguin Random House

  123,908 of 200,000 Signatures
• Irmo
  

  Don't Ban Ta-Nehisi Coates' Books!

  Recently, a high school teacher in South Carolina was prevented from teaching "Between the World and Me," by Ta-Nehisi Coates, to her Advanced Placement students, due to legislation enacted by Republican lawmakers to make it easier to ban and censor books. Ta-Nehisi Coates—a highly acclaimed and award-winning writer—offers a personal narrative of his upbringing in this remarkable book, which won the prestigious National Book Award and numerous other notable accolades in 2015. The book talks about the complex issues of race and racism in America—a topic the teacher used to foster critical thinking among her students, asking them to analyze Coates' arguments and develop their own theses. These are not only appropriate questions to ask high schoolers in an AP class—they are essential. Students need to explore thought-provoking subjects, reflect upon them, and form their own reflections and arguments. In addition, comprehending the history and present reality of race in America is an indispensable part of any student's education in this country. The law makes it too easy to ban and censor books—and that is part of the deliberate goal of the right-wing legislators who passed it. Across the country, Republicans have made it easier and easier to challenge books on race and racism, gender identity, sexual orientation, slavery, the Holocaust, and other topics they wish to wipe out from our public school curriculum. In some states, they are even threatening librarians with prosecution for making these "banned books" available. We must stand up against book bans and censorship, and advocate for the freedom to learn—especially topics that broaden our perspective, bring us a deeper view of our history and society, and challenge us to relate to complicated topics. The school must reinstate "Between the World and Me" in the AP curriculum, and the state should repeal laws that make it so easy to ban and censure books.

  820 of 1,000 Signatures

  Created by Justin Krebs
• 

  Support the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library

  Parents have every right to dictate what their children may read. Parents do not have the right to dictate what OTHER parents' children may read. The Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library is funded by the taxpayers, not a church or political party, and can therefore not be used to advance a religious or political agenda. Texas has been ground-zero when it comes to book challenges and bans, as well as escalating censorship against libraries and librarians. And it's playing out right here at Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library. Last year the library had multiple law enforcement visits to investigate if the library was holding "illegal content" and attempts to censor library content continues.We, the undersigned residents of Kerr County, petition the Kerrville City Council to uphold the principles of intellectual freedom, diversity, and access to information within our community. We firmly believe in maintaining an environment where all books and resources remain freely accessible to all. We urge the Kerrville City Council to affirm its commitment to intellectual freedom by upholding the library's existing policies that protect the rights of individuals to access information without censorship or undue restriction.

  1,082 of 2,000 Signatures

  Created by Kerr County Democratic Party
• 

  Stop Attacks on Librarians

  In several states across the country, including Indiana, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas, librarians are facing the threat of prosecution—and even jail—for the books they include on library shelves, thanks to Republican legislators passing new laws that ban books about gender, sexuality, race, and American history. It comes as no surprise that these right-wing book banners are targeting books that teach accurate accounts of history accounts and books that amplify the voices and of Black, brown, Jewish, and LGBTQ+ authors. It's the GOP's latest tactic designed to eradicate conversations students have in the classroom around genocide, white supremacy, gender, and sexuality. Librarians—who are devoted to promoting knowledge in free, egalitarian, inclusive settings—can be punished because of political interference that would restrict their freedom to do their job. Fortunately, librarians and their allies are fighting back. In Arkansas, librarians are challenging this oppressive law. In Illinois, legislators passed a bill to ban book bans. And librarians in even the most conservative settings are sticking together and sticking their necks out against censorship and for the freedom to learn accurate history, the freedom to read, and the freedom of ideas. State legislatures need to reject efforts to criminalize librarians and instead need to pass laws to protect their right to do their jobs. Prosecutors must refuse to prosecute librarians for displaying books that are under attack by censorious would-be banners. And all politicians should affirm the "Library Bill of Rights" as put forth by the American Library Association. Let's empower librarians to be librarians! Show solidarity with librarians and libraries—and say no to censorship, book bans, intimidations, and unjust prosecutions. Support intellectual freedom and the invaluable contributions librarians make to our communities.

  32,053 of 35,000 Signatures

  Created by Justin Krebs
• 

  Stop the banning of books: Florida State Legislature

  The current push for book bans is the strongest that it’s been in decades, with attempts to stop students from learning about the Holocaust, slavery, gender and sexuality, and more. Schools should allow a curriculum that educates students on our collective histories and allows them to learn about resilience and empathy. In a state that often touts freedom, there is no freedom of speech, when books are now being censored after years of already being taught in Florida schools. School environments should be inclusive to all students and give them the opportunity to read stories that reflect their interests and identities. Students, teachers, and communities across the country are facing similar right-wing attempts to censor what’s taught in schools, but we are not powerless. Together, we can take action to ensure schools and libraries have the ability to serve everyone so that we can learn from our diversity, history, and culture, and work to create an inclusive future where everyone can thrive.

  12,633 of 15,000 Signatures

  Created by Laurie Woodward Garcia
• 

  Stop the ban of books: Illinois state legislature

  The current push for book bans is the strongest that it’s been in decades, with attempts to stop students from learning about the Holocaust, slavery, gender and sexuality, and more. Schools should allow a curriculum that educates students on our collective histories and allows them to learn about resilience and empathy. School environments should be inclusive to all students and give them the opportunity to read stories that reflect their interests and identities. Students, teachers, and communities across the country are facing similar right-wing attempts to censor what’s taught in schools, but we are not powerless. Together, we can take action to ensure schools and libraries have the ability to serve everyone, so that we can learn from our diversity, history, and culture, and work to create an inclusive future where everyone can thrive.

  383 of 400 Signatures

  Created by Miguel Gutierrez
• Washington
  

  Stop the ban of books: District of Columbia Public Schools

  The current push for book bans is the strongest that its been in decades, with attempts to stop students from learning about the Holocaust, slavery, gender and sexuality, and more. Schools should allow a curriculum that educates students on our collective histories and allows them to learn about resilience and empathy. School environments should be inclusive to all students and give them the opportunity to read stories that reflect their interests and identities. Students, teachers, and communities across the country are frustrated about these right-wing attempts to censor schools, but we are not powerless, similar campaigns have been successful in stopping and overturning these bans.

  330 of 400 Signatures

  Created by Nakia Stephens