Happy Hour at Track 15 - Friday May 29, 5:30 - 7:00 PM. There will be door prize giveaways, good conversation, and fun (as well as postcards)
Rhode Island Authors Against Book Bans
@aabbri.bsky.social
The Bluesky home of Authors Against Book Bans Rhode Island , a coalition of book creators united against the deeply unconstitutional movement to limit the freedom to read. Learn more and join at https://www.authorsagainstbookbans.com/
You are invited! Drop in, chat with friends, write a postcard to your reps. Saturday May 16, 2-4 PM @ Gooseneck Vineyards.
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
kelly jensen@heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 8mo agoThis week, we learned 21 states are eager to dismantle your First Amendment Rights. It should be bigger news. Here's the story, and here's what you can be doing about it. These are YOUR RIGHTS that the states want to steal from you. buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
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...
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.
bookriot.com
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. wapo.st/3L9lpr4
Trump administration prepares sweeping crackdown on leftist networks
The Justice Department’s program to root out violent “Antifa” extremism is raising First Amendment concerns.
wapo.st
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
kelly jensen@heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 9mo agoThree states have anti-book ban bills on deck coming into 2026. Here's what those bills look like, how to get involved, and what the advocates behind the recently-passed freedom to read bill in Rhode Island learned through the process. bookriot.com/right-to-rea...
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...
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—11/13/2025) </strong>The Massachus...
malegislature.gov
Spotted FRY BREAD in the Providence Lush Cosmetics with a #FreedomToRead sign #shelfie #corporateactivism
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!
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!
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 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
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...
Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books
A Memoir in Books
bookshop.org
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!
Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans@massaabb.bsky.social · last yr.Mass Freedom to Read is a new coalition that represents Massachusetts parents and readers, authors and creators, libraries, booksellers, and publishers. We believe that freedom of expression, including the freedom to read, is a fundamental American right, protected by the First Amendment. 🧵
Welcoming a new partner to the fight to protect freedom of speech and freedom of the press! www.publishingprofessionalsagainstbookbans.com
Publishing Professionals Against Book Bans
publishingprofessionalsagainstbookbans.com
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!
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! ⚓️❤️📚
Deeply disappointed in the Supreme Court pen.org/press-releas...
Supreme Court Decision on LGBTQ Storybooks in Public Schools Lays Foundation for New Assault on Books Of All Kinds in Schools - PEN America
The Supreme Court ruling today mandating “opt outs” for children whose parents object to LGBTQ+-relevant picture books in public schools deals a “deeply disappointing” blow to the right to read under ...
pen.org
Georgia Librarian fired for including WHEN AIDEN BECAME A BROTHER in a book display titled “Color Our World,” featuring diverse kids’ books. www.gpb.org/news/2025/06...
Southeast Georgia librarian fired after creating book display featuring transgender character
Lavonnia Moore said she was fired after the community helped her assemble a book display at the Pierce County Public Library. Southeast Georgia librarian fired after creating book display featuring tr...
gpb.org
AABB-RI co-chair @jbradley.bsky.social was on @wgbh.org ‘s Under the Radar with Callie Crossley tonight as part of a round table discussion about the impact of censorship on authors. If you missed it live, stream it here (The whole series is great!) www.wgbh.org/culture/book...
Unbound Pages: Authors Against Book Bans fights for the freedom to read
The organization brings together authors from all genres and for all ages in support of the freedom to read.
wgbh.org
What Margaret Mead failed to note: (1) change making is hard work, (2) no one person (or small group) can do this work alone very long, & (3) the effectiveness of your small group lies in connecting with a larger coalition of people who have done this work before and know what they are doing ⚓️🩷📚
Rhode Island #FreedomToRead has been passed by both chambers of the General Assembly and is on its way to the Governor’s desk for signing! Just in case you aren’t spending your Friday night glued to Capitol TV, here’s the moment:
Rhode Island is poised to become a #FreedomToRead state! Our bill is headed to Governor McKee’s desk to be signed into law! Thank you yo our many FTR coalition volunteers and to the RI General Assembly & bill sponsors @davidmoralesri.bsky.social & Sen Mark McKenney!!
The @risenate.bsky.social is now voting 6/20/25 (Friday) on the House revision of the Freedom to Read Act #FreedomToRead
Getting the Freedom to Read Bill to this point took countless effort, energy, willpower, courage, resourcefulness and spirit, volunteered by so many amazing volunteers & members. We're waiting eagerly for the legislation to get through one final step before going to @govdanmckee.bsky.social!
