The recent developments coming out of the Metropolis Public Library District should frighten and insult all Americans who believe in the freedom of speech and in our democracy. Retaliating against local library trustees, who are dedicated to serving their community and assisting children in learning, is unacceptable. Parents have the right and the responsibility to restrict their children’s access to library resources – not anyone else’s children. This inflammatory rhetoric employed by certain individuals in Metropolis – which has included referring to book-banning opponents as “Evil,” “the Enemy” and even “Satan” and warnings of violence and moral corruption – has been harmful, divisive and dangerous as it threatens to polarize and disrupt our communities. I stand with the three Metropolis Public Library Board of Trustees and those who believe in our constitutional right to read.
