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. 

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.

“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 NCAC's letter to the Wilson County School Board.