NCAC joins PEN America, Dramatists Legal Defense Fund, and others to fight for free expression

[link removed]
[link removed]
REMEMBERING JOYCE MESKIS: FREE SPEECH DEFENDER


The National Coalition Against Censorship is saddened by the death of Joyce Meskis, a Colorado bookseller for over 40 years who won many important fights against censorship at the state and national level. Meskis died in Denver on December 22. She was 80.

Meskis was a divorced mother of two young daughters when she bought a small bookstore, Tattered Cover, in 1974. The store expanded steadily and became a Denver institution when it moved into a former department store, occupying 40,000 square feet on four floors. It was one of the largest independent bookstores in the country.

The record of her activism is both long and distinguished. NCAC continues to pay homage to Meskis and details her significant contributions to protecting First Amendment rights at ncac.org ([link removed]) .
[link removed]
NCAC CONDEMNS CANCELLATION OF "INDECENT" IN DUVAL COUNTY, FLORIDA

The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC), PEN America, and Dramatists Legal Defense Fund, organizations dedicated to artistic, intellectual, and academic freedom, expressed deep concern over the cancellation of the student production of a critically acclaimed play, Indecent. The administration at Douglas Anderson School of Performing Arts in Duval County, Florida, pulled the production due to "adult sexual dialog that is inappropriate for cast members and student audiences."

Originally scheduled to open in March, Indecent takes inspiration from the origins and story of God of Vengeance, its subsequent obscenity trial, and its aftermath. The play explores themes of LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, censorship, and antisemitism in the early 20th Century - themes that are relevant to current societal issues.

NCAC urges the Douglas Anderson School of the Performing Arts to resume its preparations for the performance of this important play. Please read our complete statement here ([link removed]) .
DONATE TO NCAC ([link removed])
[link removed]
SUPPORT ACADEMIC FREEDOM, JOIN A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR HAMLINE UNIVERSITY INSTRUCTOR

In an egregious and chilling violation of academic freedom, Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, refused to renew the contract of an adjunct professor in retaliation for her inclusion of two artworks depicting the Prophet Muhammad in a class on global art history.

During a lecture on Islamic art, the professor showed a 14th century painting from a manuscript commissioned by a Sunni Muslim ruler in Persia, which is part of a series of illustrations narrating and commemorating Muhammad’s prophecy.

NCAC encourages faculty at other universities to add their voice to this important letter ([link removed]) addressed to Hamline University President Fayneese Miller. Initiated by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, it calls for the protection of academic freedom and the reinstatement of the professor’s position at the university. Learn more here ([link removed]) .
[link removed]

“JACK OF HEARTS (AND OTHER PARTS)” AND “TRICKS” PULLED FROM WILSON COUNTY TENNESSEE SCHOOLS

The Wilson County Schools Board in Lebanon, Tennessee, has removed Tricks by Ellen Hopkins and Lev A.C. Rosen’s Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) despite a review committee’s recommendations to retain the books.

In a letter to the school board, NCAC expressed concern that the books were most likely removed due to a disagreement with the views expressed in the titles. During the board’s discussion of the book challenge, one board member advocated for removing the book because it contained ideas about sex education that “I disagree with.” The removals potentially conflict with a Supreme Court ruling of Board of Education v. Pico, 457 U.S. 853, 872 (1982). In 2021, the Court reaffirmed the principle underlying Pico, stating that public schools are responsible for protecting unpopular ideas. Mahanoy Area Sch. Dist. v. B. L., 594 U.S.___,141 S. Ct. 2038, 2046 (2021). Therefore, any decision that suggests viewpoint discrimination raises serious First Amendment concerns.

NCAC further expressed support for the school’s review committee, which plays an essential role in adjudicating book challenges and provides an impartial and thorough assessment of titles based in an objective, nonpolitical manner.

Read ([link removed]) NCAC's letter to the Wilson County School Board.

CENSORSHIP IN THE NEWS

Joyce Meskis, Bookseller Who Defended Readers’ Rights, Dies at 80 ([link removed])
New York Times, Jan. 7, 2023

Her Denver bookstore, the Tattered Cover, was among the country’s best, and she often found herself in the midst of First Amendment fights. Read More ([link removed])

US Education Department investigates removal of LGBTQ books ([link removed])
Associated Press, Dec. 20, 2022

The removal of LGBTQ-themed books from the library of the Granbury, Texas, school district is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights division. Read More ([link removed])

PW’s 2022 People of the Year: The Defenders ([link removed])
Publishers Weekly, Dec. 16, 2022

We recognize the librarians, booksellers, authors, publishers, and allies standing tall in the face of an unprecedented attack on the freedom to read. Read More ([link removed])
DONATE TO NCAC ([link removed])
View this email in your browser ([link removed])
[link removed] Twitter ([link removed])
[link removed] Facebook ([link removed])
[link removed] Instagram ([link removed])
[link removed] LinkedIn ([link removed])
[link removed] Website ([link removed])

============================================================
** view this email in your browser ([link removed])

Visit us at ** ncac.org ([link removed])

REPORT CENSORSHIP
To report an incident, please ** visit this page ([link removed])
.

Our mailing address is:
National Coalition Against Censorship
19 Fulton Street, Suite 407
New York, NY 10038
** Add us to your address book ([link removed])

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.
You subscribed to this list by signing up at our website or sending us a donation.