banned books

With major publishing companies and authors arguing a 2023 state law violates First Amendment rights, a federal judge Friday refused to dismiss a lawsuit against members of the State Board of Education over the removal of school library books.

Reversing an October decision in a legal battle over access to books, a federal judge this week ruled that Escambia County School Board members must testify about the removal of books from school libraries because the officials are not shielded by what is known as “legislative privilege.”

Florida education leaders are trying to fend off a lawsuit filed by major publishing companies and authors over the removal of books from school libraries, disputing allegations that a controversial state law violates the First Amendment.

The list includes classics and newer favorites that were removed or discontinued in Florida K-12 schools during the 2023-2024 school year.

A federal judge has shielded Escambia County School Board members from having to testify in a legal battle about the removal of children’s books from school libraries.

In a key battleground in the larger debate about removing and restricting school books, plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the Escambia County School Board asked a federal judge this week to order officials to return to the shelves seven titles that have been off-limits for over a year.

Three parents on Thursday filed a federal lawsuit challenging a controversial 2023 Florida law that increased scrutiny of school-library books and instructional materials, alleging the process for removing books unconstitutionally discriminates against parents who disagree with "the state's favored viewpoint."

A federal judge this week sent to mediation a lawsuit about the removal of the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three” from Escambia County school library shelves.

Ahead of yesterday’s Escambia County School Board meeting, about a dozen protestors gathered outside the J.E. Hall Center for the “Bring Back Our Books” rally highlighting the challenged books in school libraries that have been removed or restricted in the district.