In an effort to combat the rising trend of book bans in schools across the United States, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has thrown its support behind the newly introduced Fight Book Bans Act, H.R. 6592. Spearheaded by Representative Maxwell Frost, the bill seeks to empower the Department of Education by providing grants to school districts. These grants would offset costs incurred while combating efforts to ban books, marking a significant step in the fight against classroom censorship.
Read: Books Save Lives Act: Rep Ayanna Pressley introduces bill against bans
Over the past year, reports indicate that more than 3,000 books have been removed from school libraries and classrooms, many of which represent LGBTQ+ communities, people of colour, and other marginalised groups. According to the ACLU, such bans not only discriminate but also infringe upon students’ First Amendment rights to freely access information.
What is the Fight Book Bans Act?
The Fight Book Bans Act, formally referred to as H.R. 6592, is proposed legislation designed to authorise the Department of Education to issue grants to school districts. These grants would be used to help cover expenses related to opposing challenges to books, covering legal costs like attorney fees and court expenses.
In a letter addressed to the House of Representatives, the ACLU detailed its endorsement of the Fight Book Bans Act and called upon House members to co-sponsor the bill. Jenna Leventoff, ACLU senior policy counsel, underscored the importance of school libraries as vital resources that enable students to explore a wide range of topics and perspectives.
“The First Amendment protects the ability to access almost all information. School libraries enable students to exercise this right, as they can contain information on topics ranging from science, to art, to travel, as well as different viewpoints,” Leventoff stated. She further emphasised, “We strongly urge the House to co-sponsor the Fight Book Bans Act. Doing so will send a message that we won’t sit still and allow censorship to thrive.”
Read: Book czar appointed by US Education Department amid bans
The ACLU has been at the forefront of challenging classroom censorship laws in states such as Florida, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma, aiming to safeguard educators’ and students’ rights to teach and learn freely. The organisation’s support for the Fight Book Bans Act is a continuation of its efforts to protect the democratic principle that allows for the discussion and debate of ideas, including those that may be uncomfortable for some.
By advocating for the bill, the ACLU seeks to ensure that discussions about history and lived experiences remain open and accessible in educational settings, reinforcing the foundation of free speech in American democracy.