The Right to Intellectual Freedom

Ideas are powerful. That’s why intellectual freedom is protected by the First Amendment — and it's also why sometimes governments try to suppress them. A government that polices what we read polices our thoughts. For nearly 100 years, the ACLU has fought to make sure Americans have the right to read what they want. Despite our many victories, there are still misguided attempts to ban books. The American Library Association keeps track.

But you can’t keep a good book down.

Help us celebrate intellectual freedom, and the books that have made us think, question the status quo, and learn, by printing the bookmark below. Take a picture and tag us on social media. Don’t forget to use the hashtag, #IReadBannedBooks and let us know what your favorite banned book is.

National_Banned_Books_Bookmark.pdf

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ACLU of Alaska testifies against Mat-Su School Board decision to remove "controversial" books

On Wednesday, May 7, 2020 ACLU of Alaska Policy Director Triada Stampas testified during a Matanuska-Susitna School Board meeting in support of rescinding the board's April 22, 2020 decision to remove books and teaching materials labeled “controversial” from the High School English Elective Curriculum and Reading List, Part I.