This essay traces the long and turbulent history of American booksellers who have faced censorship, harassment, and even violence for defending the freedom to read. Through vivid anecdotes and historical cases-from undercover stings in the early 1900s and legal battles over “obscene” literature, to FBI surveillance of Black bookstores and bomb threats against feminist and LGBTQ+ shops-the author illustrates how bookstores have repeatedly become battlegrounds in the fight for civil liberties and free expression. Despite intimidation from both government and private groups, booksellers have pushed back, shaping legal precedents and rallying communities to defend First Amendment rights. The essay ultimately calls on readers to recognize bookstores as “arsenals of democracy” and to support their ongoing role in safeguarding intellectual freedom.

Booksellers have faced censorship and harassment defending the freedom to read. Celebrate your local bookstore and support their ongoing role in safeguarding intellectual freedom.

press.princeton.edu/ideas/bookst...

#BookstoreDay

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good to see you here

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YouTube video by Senator Chuck Schumer Holding The Senate Floor To Fight Trump’s Nomination Of Russell Vought

We're holding the Senate floor all night to fight back against Trump’s nomination of Russell Vought.

America saw how bad OMB’s illegal, incompetent funding freeze was.

We want Americans to hear EVERY HOUR how bad the dangers are that he poses to their daily lives as OMB head.

5 Calls Spend 5 minutes. Make 5 calls. Make your voice heard.

Okay, I cannot recommend 5calls.org enough. Enter your address and it will find all your reps (federal and state). AND give you a list of issues to call about AND which reps to call about each of them AND a little script for each, in case it's helpful. They have an app, too.

Hi all, We’re still here at OPM.

We have a situation where we MIGHT, and I do mean, MIGHT have four of Elon’s people blocked from the building.

Can we get press or a member of Congress down here? We’ve blocked them for two hours and they keep coming back and trying to go in.

Hello to you and the dogs!

awesome

glad to see you 💖

nice

@denise11belgians.bsky.social

@denise11belgians.bsky.social
hi denise

moving Way from fb, except for keeping personal friends