[ [link removed] ]Join me, LeVar Burton, and nearly 175 artists, celebrities, and
creative leaders. Add your name to this open letter demanding governors
and state legislators stop book bans!

Dear MoveOn member,

My name is LeVar Burton. You may recognize me as the host of the show
"Reading Rainbow," as well as from "Roots," "Star Trek: The Next
Generation," and a lifetime of bringing stories to life. As a lifetime
literacy advocate, I've spent over 20 years inspiring people of all ages
to discover their love of reading.

Now, 40 years after "Reading Rainbow" first aired, book bans and
censorship of the arts are on the rise. Authors whose work was featured on
"Reading Rainbow"—like Eve Bunting, Mary Hoffman, and Patricia
Polacco—have had their books challenged or removed from schools.^1,2,3 It
is embarrassing that the authors our country once celebrated are now being
censored. And we know that a vast majority of Americans support the
freedom to read, to learn, and to get lost in a good book.

[ [link removed] ]I'm partnering with MoveOn to launch a campaign with creative leaders
to bring heightened awareness to this dangerous form of censorship and
exclusion. As artists, we've banded together, because a threat to one form
of art is a threat to us all. Nearly 175 authors, actors, musicians,
directors, songwriters, and other notable influencers signed an open
letter denouncing the rising wave of book bans across the country. And now
we'd love for you to join us by adding your name too. 

[ [link removed] ][IMG]

Throughout my career, I have inspired people of all ages to see themselves
in literature, fall in love with reading, and imagine possibilities for
themselves and their futures. I still meet people today who share how
being exposed to books with different points of view, books about
challenging topics, and books by authors from a range of backgrounds
helped them develop empathy, critical thinking, and a love for their
community.

Will you join me in pushing back against book bans by adding your name to
this open letter? We'll tell all elected officials to reject book bans,
and we'll demand that they support funding for diverse stories to be
featured in our libraries, taught in our schools, and celebrated in all
our communities.

[4]Add your name

As the son of an English teacher, I was exposed to the written word from
an early age. It was only fitting that I carried my love for reading into
my life’s work. I am a proud literacy advocate, and I must say that I am
disturbed by the recent uptick in challenges, restrictions, and bans of
books related to gender, sexuality, race, and history.

My son and daughter grew up with access to diverse stories that reflected
their lived experiences, history, and dreams. And so did the millions of
children, teachers, and parents who tuned in to "Reading Rainbow."
Librarians and teachers across the country have done amazing work bringing
thoughtful, diverse, important, engaging books to their shelves and their
classrooms. Now I'm afraid current and future generations won’t be so
lucky. And I'm worried for teachers and librarians who feel like they
can't do the job they love.

There are steps you can take right now to resist censorship. MoveOn
members across the country are launching petitions, talking to their
elected officials, supporting teachers and librarians, and even supporting
the Banned Bookmobile that's traveling the country. Even on your own, you
can keep reading the books they ban. You can get involved in your local
libraries and school boards. [ [link removed] ]And you can sign the open letter to join
these prominent artists across the country who are speaking out against
book bans.

Thank you for reading and resisting.

–LeVar Burton

Sources:

1. "These 176 books were banned in Duval County, Florida," PEN America,
December 6, 2022
[link removed]

2. "Central York School District book ban inspires banned book giveaway,"
FOX43, September 30, 2021
[link removed]

3. "Reading Rainbow Complete Book List," Know Tea, August 22, 2018
[link removed]

You're receiving this petition because we thought it might interest you.
It was created on MoveOn.org, where anyone can start their own online
petitions. You can [ [link removed] ]start your own petition here.



Want to support MoveOn's work? Book bans have skyrocketed thanks to
right-wing state laws which have forced teachers to remove books from
their classrooms. In response, MoveOn is launching a "Banned Bookmobile,"
filling it with books that the far right has banned, and driving it around
to hand out those books, for free, in highly trafficked areas that will
attract media attention. To keep the Banned Bookmobile up and running into
2024, we need your help.

Will you start a monthly gift to power our critical work? 



[ [link removed] ]Yes, I'll chip in $5 a month.

[ [link removed] ]No, I'm sorry, I can't make a monthly donation.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAID FOR BY MOVEON POLITICAL ACTION, [ [link removed] ][link removed]?.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. MoveOn Political
Action - PO Box 96142, Washington, D.C. 20090-6142.



You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time:
[link removed]