Updates

Tom Forsythe’s Food Chain Barbie

By |2020-01-03T14:13:55-05:00September 24th, 2008|Updates|

Tom Forsythe's Food Chain Barbie series taps into the twin currents of jaundice and hilarity that characterize his sometimes simple and sometimes maddeningly complex view of the world. In this series, the idealized commodity—Barbie—becomes our food, our nourishment. We blend, mix and confuse the ideal fantasy with the essence of our existence. Barbie may be only one of a great [...]

Homophobic Attacks on Schools and Libraries

By |2016-01-15T12:08:22-05:00September 24th, 2008|Updates|

Schools and libraries are the setting for many community censorship controversies. Teachers and librarians who seek to expose children to a wide range of ideas, to be sensitive to our cultural and religious diversity, and to encourage curiosity and critical thinking are most likely to be targets.   Two books, Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman and Daddy's Roommate [...]

Resisting Homophobic Attacks on Education and the Arts

By |2016-01-15T12:08:22-05:00September 24th, 2008|Updates|

In communities all around the country, radical rightists are working to cleanse our institutions of ideas and discussion that do not conform to their own religious, social and political views. Attacking ideas and people for "promoting" homosexuality is a destructive but powerful strategy. It creates a climate of fear and intimidation, it taps into deeply-held prejudices, and almost inevitably precludes [...]

Letter Opposing Removal of Books from YA Section of St. Louis Library

By |2020-01-03T14:12:25-05:00September 16th, 2008|Updates|

A local group, Citizens Against Pornography, and some community members objected to a dozen titles in the young adult section of the St. Louis County Libraries.  The group has asked that the library impose restrictions on the books, such as using a "rating" system to classify books, or requiring that teens get written permission from a parent or guardian to check the books out.  NCAC and ABFFE sent a following letter to the school board in response.

Joint Letter to Huntsville Board of Ed Opposing Removal of Lesson Before Dying

By |2020-01-03T14:08:51-05:00August 8th, 2008|Updates|

Joint Letter to Huntsville City Board of Ed. Opposing Removal of A Lesson Before Dying     "A Lesson Before Dying" by Ernest Gaines was challenged in the Huntsville City (AL) Schools by two parents who objected to sexual references and profanity in the book and asked that it be removed from the ninth grade required summer reading lists. The [...]

NCAC and NYCLU Urge NY Governor to Veto Video Game Legislation

By |2016-01-15T12:08:22-05:00July 18th, 2008|Updates|

Governor David Paterson The Executive Chamber State Capitol Albany, New York 12224 Re:       A.11717/S.6401-A Dear Governor Paterson: We write on behalf of the New York Civil Liberties Union and the National Coalition Against Censorship to express opposition to A.11717/S.6401-A – legislation related to the rating and distribution of video games – and to urge that you veto this legislation. [...]

Joint Letter to Appling County Board of Ed Urging Return of Censored Classics

By |2019-03-07T23:59:12-05:00July 16th, 2008|Updates|

Joint Letter to Appling County Board of Ed. Urging Return of Censored Classics, Of Mice and Men, Brave New World, and Native Son     Board of Education Appling County Schools 249 Blackshear Highway Baxley, GA 31513                                                                                          July 16, 2008 Dear Members of the Board of Education: We write to encourage you to reconsider your decision to remove the [...]

Free Speech in Second Life: Svetlana Mintcheva interviewed by Amy Wilson

By |2016-01-15T12:08:22-05:00June 26th, 2008|Updates|

This is an interview between Amy Wilson (aka Amy Freelunch), and Svetlana Mintcheva (Libertad Lane) Director of Arts Advocacy at the National Coalition Against Censorship. Svetlana has been involved in forming an in world version of that organization (the Virtual Coalition Against Censorship). Q. There seems to be a lot of acceptance in the SL community that an entity like [...]

Joint Letter Commending Superintendent for Upholding Student Press Rights in Shasta High School

By |2016-01-15T12:08:22-05:00June 23rd, 2008|Updates|

  Superintendent Michael J. Stuart 2200 Eureka Way Suite B, Redding, CA 96001 [email protected] June 23, 2008 Dear Superintendent Michael J. Stuart, We have been following the controversy involving Principal Woollard’s objections to a recent edition of the student-run school newspaper Shasta High Volcano because of a photo of a student burning an American flag and an editorial defending the [...]

Joint Letter Opposing Removal of Award-Winning Book The Fighting Ground from Elementary School Library

By |2016-01-15T12:08:22-05:00June 18th, 2008|Updates|

Joint Letter Opposing Removal of Award-Winning book The Fighting Ground from Elementary School Library     Bay District School Board 1311 Balboa Avenue Panama City, FL 32401 June 18, 2008 Dear Members of the Bay District School Board: We are deeply concerned by your recent decision to ban the book, The Fighting Ground by Avi, from elementary schools throughout the [...]

San Mateo Public art

By |2016-01-15T12:08:22-05:00June 16th, 2008|Updates|

Help protect the public art program in San Mateo! Public art improves the image of a city, it attracts tourists, helps business, and improves the quality of life. That is why most American cities actively support it by allocating space and resources. An additional boon is that active public arts programs also create jobs for local artists and craftspeople. Yet, [...]

Football Players petition the Supreme Court over student free speech case

By |2016-01-15T12:08:23-05:00June 13th, 2008|Updates|

Four student athletes who were kicked off their high school football team after circulating a petition critical of their coach filed an appeal Friday for the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their case. A three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in August 2007 that the players' First Amendment rights were not infringed upon because their efforts undermined the coach's authority, and because their only punishment was being removed from a voluntary extracurricular activity.

Calif. district reverses decision to shut down paper that ran flag-burning photo

By |2020-01-05T23:18:50-05:00June 13th, 2008|Updates|

(SPLC) CALIFORNIA — Shasta High School will have a journalism class next year after all, even though the school principal planned to eliminate the course after The Volcano ran a photo of students burning an American flag. Superintendent Mike Stuart said Thursday he plans to give the school funding for the program so it can build enrollment. Read more here.

NCAC Urges New York Governor To Sign Libel Terrorism Protection Act

By |2020-01-03T14:12:53-05:00April 30th, 2008|Updates|

The National Coalition Against Censorship strongly supports the “Libel Terrorism Protection Act” (A. 9652 and S. 6687), which is necessary to protect American authors and journalists from defamation judgments rendered in foreign jurisdictions whose laws do not protect freedom of speech to the same extent as the First Amendment.

Letter Opposing Removal of Award-Winning Books from Elementary School Library

By |2020-01-03T14:08:53-05:00March 20th, 2008|Updates|

Letter Opposing Removal of Award-Winning books from Elementary School Library     NCAC and ABFFE sent this letter to the Editors of the St. Petersburg Times in response to a report that two library books had been challenged at Turner Elemenatry School. Re:      “Word in school library books angers New Tampa family” (March 17) To the Editors: We are concerned about [...]

Letter Asking School Board To Oppose Censorship of Play and Look Into Investigation of Teacher at Sherwood Middle School

By |2019-03-15T17:51:47-04:00March 20th, 2008|Updates|

UPDATE: Teacher Jennie Brown who wrote and directed the censored play Higher Ground is currently "under investigation". Below is a letter NCAC wrote to the Sherwood School Board asking them to allow the play to be performed at Sherwood Middle School and to look into the investigatoin of Jennie Brown to ensure that everyone's First Amendment rights are respected. Members [...]

Free Speech Groups Oppose Challenges To Angels in America in AP English Class

By |2016-01-15T12:08:23-05:00March 14th, 2008|Updates|

Angels in America by Tony Kushner will still be taught in Deerfield High School's AP English class, in Deerfield, IL despite complaints from a community member who objected to its sexual, religious and racial content and public attacks made by a local organization that call the play "pornography."

NCAC and ABFFE were joined by four other organizations in sending a letter to the Superintendent and School Board supporting their resolve to stand by First Amendment principles.

Letter Opposing Censorship of Student Paper Because of Hookah Article

By |2016-01-15T12:08:23-05:00March 4th, 2008|Updates|

  Principal Sherrill Stephens Globe High School 455 North Willow St Globe, AZ 85501 Superintendent Dr. Timothy Trent Robert Miller, Interim Business Operations Dir. 501 East Ash St Globe, AZ 85501                                                                                            March 4, 2008 Dear Principal Sherrill Stephens, Superintendent Dr. Timothy Trent and Mr. Robert Miller, We are deeply concerned about the confiscation of the recent edition of Globe High [...]

Letter to Ventura County Arts Council

By |2016-01-15T12:08:23-05:00March 4th, 2008|Updates|

Ms. Monica Nolan, President Ventura County Arts Council 646 County Square Drive, Suite 154 Ventura, California 93003-0436 Fax: 805-658-2281 Email:[email protected] By e-mail and fax March 4, 2008     Re: A Night of Passion Art Exhibit/Ventura Music Festival Dear Ms.Nolan: I am writing on behalf of the National Coalition Against Censorship, an alliance of over 50 national non-profit organizations united in [...]

The Kite Runner Challenged in Morganton, NC

By |2019-03-15T17:16:31-04:00February 26th, 2008|Updates|

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini was challenged for sexual content and graphic language by a school board member and one community member. The school board member has proposed amending the district's current media policy to apply standards for audio and visual materials including books.

Looking For Alaska Challenged At Depew High School

By |2020-01-03T14:12:51-05:00February 22nd, 2008|Updates|

Looking for Alaska by John Green Challenged at Depew High School, Depew, NY     Kimberly A. Mueller, Superintendent Members of the Board of Education Depew Union Free School District 591 Terrace Boulevard Depew, New York 14043 February 22, 2008 Dear Superintendent Mueller and Members of the Board of Education: We write to oppose efforts to remove the book, Looking [...]

And Tango Makes Three Restricted In Loudoun County

By |2016-01-15T12:08:23-05:00February 21st, 2008|Updates|

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell is a story about two male penguins who adopt and parent a chick. The book was challenged by one parent who objected to the story. Two committees at the school and district levels approved the book without restriction. However, despite these recommendations, the Superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools decided [...]

Freedom Writers Diary Pulled From Indianapolis Classroom

By |2020-01-03T13:34:21-05:00February 13th, 2008|Updates|

The Freedom Writers Diary Removed from English Class at Perry Meridian High School, Indianapolis, IN     Dennis Nichols, Superintendent Members of the School Board Metropolitan School District of Perry Township 6548 Orinoco Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46227 February 13, 2008 Dear Superintendent Nichols and Members of the School Board, We are deeply concerned by reports that the book, The Freedom [...]

Washington State Legislature Consider Student Press Freedom Bill

By |2020-01-05T23:18:51-05:00January 31st, 2008|Updates|

news Washington State Legislature Considers Student Press Freedom Bill   The Washington State Legislature is currently considering a Student Press Freedom Bill that would ensure student journalists and their advisors certain First Amendmnet protections in their schools. » January 31, 2008 Group poses student expression bill (Daily Evergreen) Members of the Washington state Legislature are looking to clarify the rights [...]

Challenges To Just Listen By Sarah Dessen

By |2020-01-03T14:08:58-05:00January 7th, 2008|Updates|

Challenges to 'Just Listen' by Sarah dessen in Tampa, FL     UPDATE: Just Listen approved by review committee (1/10/08) Objecting to sexual themes and language in the book, some parents challenged Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, requesting that it be removed from the library at Armwood High School in Tampa, FL. Below is NCAC's Letter to the Tampa Tribune. [...]

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