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Defend Your Right to Learn: Join In The Fight Against Classroom Censorship

Banning Books and Critical Classroom Discussions

Since 2021, dozens of states have moved to introduce and pass classroom censorship bills that restrict students and teachers from discussing race, gender, and sexual orientation in public schools. At the same time, politicians and school boards are making moves to ban books—predominately those by Black and LGBTQ authors— from public schools and libraries.
A series of yellow thought bubbles.
A graphic featuring a classroom setting and a thought bubble, which reads, "Read The Toolkit."

All young people have a First Amendment right to learn free from censorship or discrimination — and the ACLU is committed to defending this right. But we need your help.

With the many resources in our toolkit, we hope that you’ll take action against classroom censorship efforts in your own school/school districts. There is no time to waste, so let’s get started and do our part to ensure that everyone has the right to learn.

Here’s what you’ll find in our Right to Learn toolkit:

Share Your Rights

Another way to fight school censorship is to spread the word that an equitable and inclusive education is your right! If you need help finding your voice, we’ve supplied talking points that you can use online, or to start a dialogue with family and friends.

Featured Stories

A graphic of a child looking at a shelf of library books surrounded by other graphics of thought bubbles and lightbulbs.

10 Advocates on Why They Won’t Stand for Classroom Censorship

People across the country shared their thoughts about why inclusive education is crucial for students.

10 Advocates on Why They Won’t Stand for Classroom Censorship
High school students march in protest of the district's ban of critical race theory curriculum at Patricia H. Birdsall Sports Park in Temecula, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022.

What the Fight Against Classroom Censorship is Really About

As a former high school teacher and lawyer, I’ve seen what we stand to lose as a nation if we don’t stop classroom censorship.

What the Fight Against Classroom Censorship is Really About
Teacher and activist against censorship, Mary Wood.

Meet Mary Wood, a Teacher Resisting Censorship

As censorship and harassment spread across South Carolina, teachers are finding allies in their communities.

Meet Mary Wood, a Teacher Resisting Censorship

Learn More About the Issues on This Page

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