Where do your donations to ABFE go?
The American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to protecting the First Amendment rights of booksellers and readers.
This is how your donations help ABFE support free expression:
LEGAL CHALLENGES
ABFE and our coalition partners join together to fund and fight legal challenges to legislation that would restrict the right to read. We identify legislation we believe is unconstitutional, find and prepare booksellers to serve as plaintiffs, and file amicus briefs in support of relevant suits. We are challenging:
Arkansas, Act 372 Would leave librarians and bookstore owners open to prosecution and permit book challenges based on undefined standards.
• After a court overturned an initial free speech victory in this case, a coalition of groups, including ABFE, are seeking a rehearing on AR Act 372!
Texas, READER Act (HB 900) Booksellers would be forced to issue sexual content ratings for school sales based on state guidelines.
• A Federal Judge issued a preliminary injunction on parts of the READER Act! Currently the Fifth Circuit needs to select a date for oral argument.
RESOURCES
The ABA Right to Read Handbook: Fighting Book Bans and Why It Matters is a reader’s guide to standing up for the right to read, including how-tos, history, and interviews with activists. Look for it on Banned Books Week displays!
Organizing training and materials for booksellers to help them mobilize against book bans on the state and local level.
Creating Banned Books Week materials to help make sure your local indie bookstore can raise as much awareness as possible during Banned Books Week.
ORGANIZING
The Set Books Free Project is a pipeline of banned and diverse books from indie bookstores and their customers to high-ban areas. We are also launching additional new book donation programs across the country.
Direct support for stores facing challenges to free expression in their communities.