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John,
Former President Obama is standing up against book bans and supporting educators in our fight.
“It’s no coincidence that these ‘banned books’ are often written by or feature people of color, Indigenous people, and members of the LGBTQ+ community… the impulse seems to be to silence, rather than engage, rebut, learn from or seek to understand views that don’t fit our own. I believe such an approach is profoundly misguided, and contrary to what has made this country great.” - President Obama
President Obama is right.
He went on to thank public libraries and librarians for their support of access to literature -- and condemned the efforts of Republicans like Ron DeSantis to weaponize & ban books in their states.
Stand with President Obama. Demand the Department of Education take action to protect the right to read and support public school teachers and librarians working hard to fight back by adding your name now.
Well-funded right-wing organizations like Moms for Liberty claim to be protecting children, but they are actually acting to tamp down diversity, eliminate discussion of race relations or gender diversity, and make great works of literature inaccessible.
The violent white supremacist Proud Boys, leaders of the attack on the Capitol on January 6, have joined them at school board meetings and rallies in efforts to harass librarians and sow divisiveness in communities nationwide.
As President Obama said, especially targeted are books about people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. These extremists intend to silence the voices of anyone that isn’t just like them. And they are putting teeth in these laws, including criminal penalties for educators who are simply doing their jobs.
It isn’t even just Florida and Texas, either. Book bans by local governments have afflicted thirty-seven states so far, including California, Michigan, and New York.
We must stand up for the freedom to read. Call on the Department of Education to reject any efforts to ban books and allow individuals and parents to make the decision about what they can read and believe. Click here to sign the petition now!
Thank you for fighting back against those who want to limit the power of thought!
- Amanda
Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund
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