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At last night’s Select Board candidate forum, Melissa Murphy denied supporting last year’s book ban attempt. She made these claims despite her endorsement of the two Board of Library Trustees candidates campaigning on the issue of supporting book bans.
Also during that campaign, Ms. Murphy quoted the statute about porn distribution to minors, a felony which comes with jail time, and advocated for the existing Board of Library Trustees to be “held accountable” to this law.
Ironically, comedian John Oliver also talked about book bans this week. If you watch the first minute of this clip of the show, he talks about how threatening library boards and librarians with criminal prosecution is one of the new tactics used when book banners can’t get the books off the shelves. It’s happening in Alabama, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Melissa Murphy, who advocated for this very effort, is running for our Select Board right here in Massachusetts.
There is only a small minority in Reading that wants to restrict what residents can read. The resounding support for our first amendment rights last year shows us that. With voter turnout expected at around 15%, though, those of us who want to protect those rights need to vote. Local elections have a big impact on our daily lives. Make your voice heard.
Please share with your friends and neighbors, and please vote for Tara Gregory on May 14!
Laura WilsonFounder, POP Huddle, Reading
Organizer, Reading’s Pride Parade and Celebration
Organizer, Reading Residents Against Censorship
Bay State Rd
