Three books removed from a Colorado school system’s libraries at the request of a conservative group will be back on the shelves after FFRF and a local activist demanded that the district either put the books back or ban the bible.
In May, the Academy School District 20 yanked three books from school libraries after a parent group known as “Advocates for D20 Kids” insisted that they be removed for sexually explicit content. The supposed offensive content led the group to deem these books as “obscene.” In response to this call, Superintendent Tom Gregory permitted all schools in the district to remove the three books.
This led to a concerned district parent asking for the bible to be banned based on the same criteria. FFRF then reiterated this request in a letter to Gregory.
“The district cannot ban books because it disagrees with the viewpoint expressed while allowing other inappropriate books because it supports their viewpoint,” FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote.
FFRF is pleased to report that the district has rescinded its initial decision.
“After careful consideration, the district assures that the removal of library materials will be based on established policies and procedures,” writes the school system’s legal counsel Tonya Thompson. “Therefore, any books recently removed without following the district’s procedure shall be reinstated and subject to reconsideration upon formal request.
