[ [link removed] ]Sign the petition: Stop threatening librarians and let them do their
jobs!

Dear MoveOn member,

In Arkansas, a new law threatens librarians with prosecution—and even
jail—for the books they include on library shelves.^1 The same is true in
more and more states across the country, including Tennessee, Oklahoma,
and Missouri, thanks to Republican legislators passing new laws that ban
books about gender, sexuality, race, and American history.^2
 
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.
 
State legislatures, prosecutors, and local elected officials need to back
off! [ [link removed] ]Will you add your name to tell them not to prosecute, criminalize,
and intimidate librarians—and to show opposition to book bans and your
support for librarians across America?

Support librarians! Don't prosecute librarians for providing access to
"banned books." Join us in opposing censorship, protecting our history and
communities, and saying no to book bans. Let librarians do their job
freely and without fear.

[3]Sign the petition

It comes as no surprise that these right-wing book banners are targeting
books that teach accurate accounts of history and books that amplify the
voices 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.

Fortunately, librarians and their allies are fighting back. In Arkansas,
librarians are challenging this oppressive law.^3 In Illinois, legislators
passed a bill to ban book bans.^4 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.^5

[ [link removed] ]We need to fight alongside librarians—add your name to share your
support, to oppose book bans, and to demand local and state officials stop
threatening librarians!

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.^6

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.

[ [link removed] ]Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to
your friends.

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Elsie, Saskia, Amy, and the rest of the team

Sources:
 
1. "Arkansas librarians sue to block new law that could jail them over
explicit books," NBC News, June 2, 2023
[link removed]
 
2. "Missouri librarians are risking jail time – for doing their jobs,"
Coda Story, March 30, 2023
[link removed]
 
3. "Arkansas librarians sue to block new law that could jail them over
explicit books," NBC News, June 2, 2023
[link removed]
 
4. "Illinois set to become first state to end book bans," Politico, May 3,
2023
[link removed]
 
5. "Top stories: Librarians push back against book bans + News wrap 3/3/23
+ Student video," PBS, March 3, 2023
[link removed]
 
6. "Library Bill of Rights," American Library Association, accessed June
7, 2023
[link removed]



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