Say No to Censorship! Stop Book Bans by Margaret StrainerHello,
Freedom of information is basic to democracy ! I live in a town where this debate rages. Historically banning books is linked to fascism….not freedom.
I am writing as a supporter of Amnesty International in response to the alarming book bans that have recently been enacted in public libraries and schools across the United States. These
bans represent a grave threat to the freedom to read and to learn, much to the detriment of students in our community.
Further, Amnesty International is becoming increasingly concerned about the targeting of librarians and teachers in light of the publications they use to support their professional responsibilities,
including elevated incidents of threats and harassment as well as police reports filed against library staff regarding books available for circulation. These reports mirror serious
challenges to freedom of expression found in authoritarian regimes elsewhere in the world.
Widespread efforts throughout the U.S. that permit state and municipal-sponsored censorship through book bans on content related to race, gender, sexuality, and LGBTQIA+ subject matter
restrict the right to freedom of expression. They also deny equal access to all, jeopardizing community members’ right to education and right to health, among other rights.
Removing and banning books from public libraries is a slippery slope to government censorship and erodes the U.S. government’s obligation to respect, protect and fulfill the right to
freedom of expression.
States must respect, protect and fulfill the right to free expression by not interfering with it as well as take active steps to ensure people can enjoy this right. The right to freedom
of expression is violated whenever a government limits the freedom of individuals to hold opinions or to seek, receive, or impart information.
Under human rights law, governments have obligations to set a framework for conduct that enables people's enjoyment of their rights. All persons who have been vested with state authority
for certain tasks such as public administration are responsible for supporting the realization of these rights for all people.
We urge you to resist these dangerous bans, and instead pledge your support for additional resources to enrich the quality and variety of educational materials in our libraries and classes.
Yours Sincerely,
Margaret Strainer
cc: Mayor Mark Johnson
201 First Avenue East
Kalispell, FLATHEAD
59901