Defend Your Right to Learn: Join In The Fight Against Classroom Censorship
Defend Your Right to Learn: Join In The Fight Against Classroom Censorship
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.
Last updated on October 3, 2022
10 Books Politicians Don’t Want You to Read
As discussions about race and gender are being censored in schools across the country, books on the same issues are being banned and challenged in public schools and libraries. We’ve highlighted some of these important works in our ACLU Banned Book Club Reading List.
How You Can Protect These Crucial Works
Defend Every Students Right To Learn
Join us in the critical fight for free speech. Pledge your support today.
Shop Our Banned Book Merch
Show your support with merch from our shop, featuring Banned Book Club stickers, pins, and pens.
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What You Can Do to Fight Against Classroom Censorship
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.
Click above to view the full toolkit.
Get the Message Out
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
How to Start a Banned Book Club
Ella Scott, student and co-founder of her high school’s Banned Book Club, tells us what inspired her to take action and shares advice on how to combat book bans in your own school.
How to Start a Banned Book Club
How LGBTQ Voices are Being Erased in Classrooms
Three LGBTQ advocates share how book bans and classroom censorship bills impact their lives, work, and students.
How LGBTQ Voices are Being Erased in Classrooms
School is For Learning — Including Learning About Race and Gender
A student and two teachers in Oklahoma share how a new censorship bill has curtailed important discussions about race and gender in the classroom.
School is For Learning — Including Learning About Race and Gender