Call Your Legislators: Vote NO on HB385 and HB425
Two bills will have a chilling effect on free speech and incarcerate librarians for having books that explain sex or that show different experiences for all ages. We need YOU to stop it.
Alabama legislators want to criminalize librarians for doing their job and will put them in jail in order to impose their ideology on everyone. TWO BILLS will strip public and school libraries of their obscenity exemption, strip librarians of their obscenity exemption status, and empower the Attorney General and extremist groups to file lawsuits against them and libraries should they stock any book these groups deem “inappropriate.”
CALL YOUR LAWMAKERS AND TELL THEM TO VOTE NO ON HB385 AND HB425
We've made it very simple to make this call and be automatically connected to your legislators' offices. Please enter your home address and cell or home phone and follow the simple steps. These kinds of calls are extremely effective and very necessary.
Key points about HB385 and HB425:
Criminalization of Educational and Library Professionals: HB385 and HB425 seek to remove the obscenity exemption for public and school libraries and their staff, making it possible for librarians and educators to face criminal charges for providing access to a wide range of literature. This approach not only threatens the professional and personal freedom of these individuals but also undermines the fundamental role of libraries as spaces for free exploration of ideas and information. The potential for legal action based on subjective interpretations of what is considered "inappropriate" content creates an environment of fear and censorship, counter to the principles of intellectual freedom.
Chilling Effect on Free Speech and Access to Information: By subjecting libraries to potential prosecution for stocking books deemed inappropriate by certain groups, these bills threaten to significantly chill free speech and restrict access to a diverse range of educational materials. This includes LGBTQ-affirming content and books that discuss sexual health and different experiences across all ages, which are crucial for comprehensive education and understanding. The fear of legal repercussions could lead to widespread self-censorship by libraries and schools, limiting the scope of available knowledge and information crucial for the development of an informed and tolerant society.
Politically Motivated Overreach and Taxpayer Burden: The legislation is a clear example of politically motivated overreach, where extremist groups and political agendas drive legal and educational frameworks, rather than the needs and rights of the community and principles of academic freedom. Additionally, the financial implications for public libraries and schools to comply with these new legal risks—such as acquiring new levels of liability insurance—would place an undue burden on Alabama taxpayers, diverting funds from essential services and resources.
HB385 and HB425 will impact educational freedom, professional autonomy, and the right to access a broad spectrum of information. Please make the call to your state legislators today and tell them to vote no on both bill.
If you would like to send an email to your legislators opposing HB385 and HB425, we've made that easy, too.
Call Your Legislators: Vote NO on HB385 and HB425
Two bills will have a chilling effect on free speech and incarcerate librarians for having books that explain sex or that show different experiences for all ages. We need YOU to stop it.
Alabama legislators want to criminalize librarians for doing their job and will put them in jail in order to impose their ideology on everyone. TWO BILLS will strip public and school libraries of their obscenity exemption, strip librarians of their obscenity exemption status, and empower the Attorney General and extremist groups to file lawsuits against them and libraries should they stock any book these groups deem “inappropriate.”
CALL YOUR LAWMAKERS AND TELL THEM TO VOTE NO ON HB385 AND HB425
We've made it very simple to make this call and be automatically connected to your legislators' offices. Please enter your home address and cell or home phone and follow the simple steps. These kinds of calls are extremely effective and very necessary.
Key points about HB385 and HB425:
Criminalization of Educational and Library Professionals: HB385 and HB425 seek to remove the obscenity exemption for public and school libraries and their staff, making it possible for librarians and educators to face criminal charges for providing access to a wide range of literature. This approach not only threatens the professional and personal freedom of these individuals but also undermines the fundamental role of libraries as spaces for free exploration of ideas and information. The potential for legal action based on subjective interpretations of what is considered "inappropriate" content creates an environment of fear and censorship, counter to the principles of intellectual freedom.
Chilling Effect on Free Speech and Access to Information: By subjecting libraries to potential prosecution for stocking books deemed inappropriate by certain groups, these bills threaten to significantly chill free speech and restrict access to a diverse range of educational materials. This includes LGBTQ-affirming content and books that discuss sexual health and different experiences across all ages, which are crucial for comprehensive education and understanding. The fear of legal repercussions could lead to widespread self-censorship by libraries and schools, limiting the scope of available knowledge and information crucial for the development of an informed and tolerant society.
Politically Motivated Overreach and Taxpayer Burden: The legislation is a clear example of politically motivated overreach, where extremist groups and political agendas drive legal and educational frameworks, rather than the needs and rights of the community and principles of academic freedom. Additionally, the financial implications for public libraries and schools to comply with these new legal risks—such as acquiring new levels of liability insurance—would place an undue burden on Alabama taxpayers, diverting funds from essential services and resources.
HB385 and HB425 will impact educational freedom, professional autonomy, and the right to access a broad spectrum of information. Please make the call to your state legislators today and tell them to vote no on both bill.
If you would like to send an email to your legislators opposing HB385 and HB425, we've made that easy, too.