“A risk to at least one type of artwork is a risk to us all.”
That’s what LeVar Burton, the previous host of “Studying Rainbow” and govt producer of the 2023 documentary “The Right to Read,” believes, and it’s why he’s partnered with MoveOn to launch a marketing campaign with artistic leaders to carry heightened consciousness to this harmful type of censorship and exclusion. With a brand new college yr simply starting, this letter is a well timed response to Republicans banning a record number of books within the final college yr, regardless of backlash and public opinion research exhibiting that almost all of Individuals oppose e-book bans.
“It’s embarrassing that we’re banning books on this nation, on this tradition, these days,” says Burton. “And it’s harmful {that a} handful of people are deciding that any e-book with Black and queer individuals is divisive. I’m proud to be surrounded by lots of of artists and thousands and thousands of MoveOn members who’re solidly towards one of these censorship. We’re calling on everybody to affix us in elevating their voices to uphold creative freedom, embrace multicultural historical past, and put a cease as soon as and for all to e-book bans.”
Celebrities Increase Their Voices In opposition to E-book Bans
And he’s not preventing again alone. With this petition, Burton is asking on celebrities and activists to affix him in pushing again towards e-book bans and defending the liberty to learn and be taught by signing onto his letter declaring that “the restrictive habits” of e-book bans is “not simply antithetical to free speech and expression however has a chilling impact on the broader artistic discipline.”
Greater than 175 celebrities agree with him. Judy Blume, Sandra Cisneros, Ariana Grande, Roxane Homosexual, Amanda Gorman, Billy Porter, Chelsea Handler, Jodi Picoult, Gabrielle Union, Padma Lakshmi, Sharon Stone, and others have signed on, utilizing their voices to talk out towards the assaults on books and the liberty to be taught.
Push Again In opposition to E-book Bans—Signal the Petition & Rock Your Merch
Featured in “The Hollywood Reporter,” The Root, HuffPost, ”People” magazine, and extra, the open letter asserts that “The federal government can not and shouldn’t create any interference or dictate what individuals can produce, write, generate, learn, hearken to, or eat.”
You, too, can be part of LeVar Burton and scores of individuals throughout the nation in condemning e-book bans and calling for an finish to hateful censorship. Visit our Artists Against Book Bans site to learn and signal the complete letter.
As part of National Banned Book Week, from October 1 by 7, you may as well present your help proudly and visibly by getting our unique “LeVar Burton Says Read Banned Books” shirts, which simply dropped! Your contribution will increase cash for our subsequent Banned Bookmobile tour and buy extra banned books to offer away without cost, preventing again towards excessive politicians and their bans.
LeVar Burton, former host of “Studying Rainbow” in his customized tee that reads “LeVar Burton Says Learn Banned Books.” Credit score: LeVar Burton Leisure
The Banned Bookmobile Fall Tour
We launched our Banned Bookmobile Tour marketing campaign this yr to push again towards e-book bans, have conversations with voters about preventing MAGA extremism, and supply assets for individuals to get entangled to assist defeat the GOP in 2024.
We met so many MoveOn members and supporters throughout our multistate tour this summer time, and we’re excited to announce that we’ll be on the highway this fall as nicely!
That’s proper, we’re kicking off our fall tour on the following stops:
- Georgia
- Tennessee
- South Carolina
- Ohio
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
The primary cease of the Fall Bookmobile Tour came about on Sunday, October 1 on the Little Store of Tales, an unbiased bookstore in Decatur, GA. Credit score: MoveOn
You’ll be able to be taught extra about our Banned Bookmobile and atone for the newest information at MoveOnBannedBookmobile.com.
