The freedom to read is under attack across our country by a number of coordinated groups that are targeting books by LGBTQIA+ BIPOC authors. These attacks have come to Utah where a small but vocal group is seeking to ban and remove books in school libraries across the state. They are encouraging parents to call the police and have teachers and librarians arrested for providing access to literature and history books. There has also been an increase in bills across the country that would ban performances as well as books, and expose teachers and librarians to criminal and civil penalties.
While these groups seeking to ban content claim to object because the materials are obscene, their own training videos available on YouTube clearly demonstrate that they are specifically and intentionally targeting what they call “CRT books” (books by Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous authors) and “LGBTQ books” (books by LGBTQ authors). Local groups are working in coordination with outside national groups who are seeking to silence and erase the voices and perspectives of people that don’t look like them or have different life experiences. For our students to be successful and competitive in the world, it is imperative that our schools are places where all voices and experiences are represented.
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The Supreme Court has ruled that the First Amendment of our Constitution, in addition to protecting our cherished Freedom of Religion, , Freedom to Assemble, and Freedom of the Press, also prohibits schools from removing materials from library shelves based on viewpoint or content. If we start removing books from school library shelves illegally, or if new state regulations or rules are put in place to restrict access to ideas, information, and cultural perspectives, it ultimately harms our students, and is a very slippery slope to allowing government restrictions on our other First Amendment freedoms.
Please sign this petition to let your state representatives know that you stand against censorship.
(Note: This petition is for Utah residents -- If you live outside of Utah, please sign this petition instead.)