New Jersey Governor Signs Freedom to Read Act Barring Book Bans

[cbabe]

https://www.commondreams.org/news/new-jersey-book-ban-law

New Jersey Governor Signs Freedom to Read Act Barring Book Bans

The law, said the Democrat, "cements New Jersey's role on the forefront of preventing book bans and protecting the intellectual freedom of our educators and students."

BRETT WILKINS
Dec 09, 2024

Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday signed legislation protecting librarians and prohibiting public schools and libraries from banning books—a move that came as Republican state lawmakers are proscribing a record number of titles, many of them works addressing sexual orientation, gender identity, and racial injustice.

Flanked by educators, librarians, and other advocates, Murphy signed A.3446/S.2421—known as the Freedom to Read Act—in the Princeton Public Library.

"The Freedom to Read Act cements New Jersey's role on the forefront of preventing book bans and protecting the intellectual freedom of our educators and students," said Murphy. "Across the nation, we have seen attempts to suppress and censor the stories and experiences of others. I'm proud to amplify the voices of our past and present, as there is no better way for our children to prepare for the future than to read freely."

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[Diamond_Dog]

1. Hooray for Common Sense!