Authors Against Book Bans Rhode Island

Want to protect Freedom
of Speech in your state? The RI AABB folks are always willing to chat with folks in your state about what we learned on the ground here about most effective strategies

2025 Book Censorship Wrapped: Trends, Challenges, and Successes Over The Year What were the book censorship trends in 2025? Here are the highs and lows, as identified by five organizations doing the work.

2025 Book Censorship Wrapped: Trends, Challenges, and Successes Over The Year.

Five organizations invested in the freedom to read highlight what's happened in the world of book censorship in 2025.

bookriot.com/book-censors...

Trump administration prepares sweeping crackdown on leftist networks The Justice Department’s program to root out violent “Antifa” extremism is raising First Amendment concerns.

We fought to create a safe harbor in RI for Freedom of Speech because we knew Project 2025 laid out plans to limit First Amendment rights. Please read and be aware of federal plans that are being put into action right now, nationwide.

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We’re in @bookriot.bsky.social ! Thank you Kelly Jensen for this roundup of pending #FreedomToRead legislation nationwide, and for sharing our lessons learned here in Rhode Island

Senate Passes Bill Guarding Against Politically Motivated Book Bans <p class="MsoNormal" align="center"><em>Bill guards against political bias in library decisions, protects librarians from reprisals</em></p> <p><strong>(BOSTON&mdash;11/13/2025) </strong>The Massachus...

Congratulations MA! #FreedomtoRead bill with protections for authors now moves to the House! Call your MA reps!
Great work @massaabb.bsky.social ! malegislature.gov/PressRoom/De...

Why is this book banned?

Spotted FRY BREAD in the Providence Lush Cosmetics with a #FreedomToRead sign #shelfie #corporateactivism

Samantha Bernard reading Your One and Onky Heart

We are at North Kingstown Public Library for Books and Belonging - our inclusive storytime with community readers. Here Samantha Bernard, a striking Bulter healthcare worker reads YOUR ONE AND ONLY HEART by Rajani LaRocca. Come
Join us until 12:30!

"None Of These Books Are Obscene": Judge Strikes Down Much of Florida's Book Ban Bill In a major win for intellectual freedom, a judge rules against Florida law that led to removing hundreds of books from school libraries.

Great news from FL!

bookriot.com/penguin-rand...

Thank you for your work!

EPiC East Providence in Community Books & Belonging Community Story time Saturday, August 16 1:00 - 2:30 Weaver Library East Providence • Paint a community rock • Celebrate reading and community • Enjoy inclusive stories

We are ALL READERS bresents: Books & Belonging Summer Reading with Neighbors Saturday August 16 North Kingstown Free Library 100 Boone St, North Kingstown, RI 10:00 - 10:45 AM: Stop the Hate: Identifying & Reporting Hate Crimes and Incidents of Bias Workshop for adults, led by Youth Pride RI. • Identify bias incidents vs. hate crimes • Learn about the impact of these incidents in our communities • Learn ways to respond and how to report a hate crime 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Summer Reading with Neighbors Inclusive storytime and activities for kids and families. Neighbors include: • Bridget Valverde, RI State Senator • Wendy Grossman, Striking Butler Worker 1199 SEIU NE • Kim Page, NK Food Pantry President • David Morales, RI State Representative • Stephanie Griffin, Special Education Teacher • Logan England, Youth Pride RI Social Worker Kids crafts and nature activities hosted by community organizations. Bring a nonperishable food item for the NK Food Bank if you are able. Donations are not required for entry. Please preregister: https://bit.ly/BooksandBelonging Questions? Email: tank.org.nk@gmail.com

Rhode Island friends! Please come to Books and Belonging - two locations this Saturday, Aug 16 - North Kingstown 10-12:30 (10-10:45 hate speech workshop, 11-12:30 inclusive storytime) East Providence 1-2:30. BOOK GIVEAWAYS and kid activities and great books!

Thank you RI House of Represenatitives for this wonderful photo of bill sponsors @davidmoralesri.bsky.social, Sen Mark McKenney (holding the official signed bills) and Rep Jennifer Stewart, who worked so hard on this bill with the members of RI @authorsabb.bsky.social!

Nicole Dyszlewski

RWU law professor and coalition leader Nicole Dyszlewski said “The passage of this bill says that all stories have value…. You don’t have to agree with someone to recognize that there is value in their voice, their story, or their existence as a human”

Sen Mark McKenney

Bill sponsor Sen Mark McKenney spoke about the need to protect our public institutions, and also shared advice for advocates: “Remember every legislator has a library in their district”

Rep David Morales

Rep David Morales highlighted the broad coalition of engaged citizens and grassroots coalition building that led RI to pass a bill that will be a model for other states. He also spoke about the importance of libraries as public places that are open to all - without charge

RI Governor Dan McKee

Governor Dan McKee spoke about his lifelong love for libraries, and their importance of libraries for the towns and neighborhoods

RI Senate President Lawson stands at a podium with “Freedom to Read” and the RI seal on it

Senate President Valerie Lawson, a former history teacher, said “This bill is about protecting intellectual freedom”

RI Speaker of the House Joe Shekarchi stands at a podium with a “Freedom to Read” sign

Speaker Joe Shekarchi said “The Freedom to Read is the freedom to think… which is a cornerstone of our democracy”

Cheryl Space welcomed everyone to the Rochambeau Library and reminded us of just how many people worked for the passage of #FreedomToRead - as citizens and as elected officials

It was wonderful to take a moment to celebrate as Gov McKee signed the Freedom to Read Act today! Thank you everyone! Sharing some photos and nuggets of wisdom from the speakers

Join us in North Kingstown on Aug 16

facebook.com/events/s/boo...

Join EPIC on Aug 16 for a special community storytime at the Weaver Library!

We are ALL READERS presents: Books & Belonging Summer Reading with Neighbors Saturday August 16 North Kingstown Free Library 100 Boone St, North Kingstown, RI 10:00 - 10:45 AM: Stop the Hate: Identifying & Reporting Hate Crimes and Incidents of Bias. Workshop for adults, led by Youth Pride RI. 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Summer Reading with Neighbors: Inclusive storytime and activities for kids and families. We will be collecting donations for the NK Food Bank. Donations are not required for entry. Questions? Email: tank.org.nk@gmail.com

We are collaborating with other #FreedomToRead coalition members on this event - save the date! Saturday, Aug 16 - 10 AM Stop the hate workshop for adults, 11-12:30 storytime and activities for kids & families

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books A Memoir in Books

Looking for a summer read that will fill you with hope and a belief that your work matters? This isn’t toxic positivity it is hope that is rooted in deep experience of and understanding of totalitarianism and the origins of evil.
bookshop.org/p/books/read...

Hear, hear!

Rhode Island was founded by people censored, imprisoned & exiled by the Massachusetts Colony for their writings and speech. We are thrilled to pass the baton for the fight to protect freedom of expression to @massaabb.bsky.social & Mass #FreedomToRead coalition. Roger Williams would be proud!

Publishing Professionals Against Book Bans

Welcoming a new partner to the fight to protect freedom of speech and freedom of the press! www.publishingprofessionalsagainstbookbans.com

@jenstewart4ri.bsky.social 📚🩷

Members of the RI Freedom to Read coalition gather around a table at Track 15 in Providence.

Celebrating the good! Freedom to Read Coalition members and bill sponsors Sen Mark McKenney & Rep Jennifer Stewart gathered tonight to take a moment to celebrate the bill becoming law. Rhode Island is now a Freedom to Read state!

Perfect hashtag! Yes!

Today the Rhode Island Freedom to Read Act becomes law. We are so proud of the safe harbor we have created in the Ocean State for librarians, creators, students, and readers. Our Act is the first in the U.S. to encode standing for authors as parties harmed by censorship. THANK YOU ALL! ⚓️❤️📚