Protect Libraries, Schools, and Museums – Stop the Censorship Amendment to Chapter 272, Section 28

We, the undersigned, stand in strong opposition to the proposed amendment to Chapter 272, Section 28 of the Massachusetts General Laws, which seeks to remove protections for libraries, schools, museums, and their employees from prosecution under the state’s "harmful materials" law.

Why This Amendment is Dangerous:
It Puts Educators, Librarians, and Museums at Legal Risk

Without the current legal defense, teachers, librarians, and museum staff could face criminal charges simply for providing books, historical documents, or works of art that some may find objectionable.
This bill encourages censorship and book bans

Removing this protection opens the door to broad and arbitrary book bans, impacting students' and the public’s access to information, literature, and educational materials.

This bill undermines freedom of thought and parental rights.

Schools, libraries, and museums exist to foster learning, curiosity, and critical thinking. Threatening them with prosecution stifles intellectual freedom and prevents students from accessing age-appropriate discussions on history, science, and social issues.

It Ignores Existing Safeguards

Libraries and schools already have policies in place to ensure that content is age-appropriate. This amendment overrides professional judgment and replaces it with fear of legal consequences.

We Demand:
🔴 Immediate rejection of this amendment to Chapter 272, Section 28.
🔴 Full legal protections for educational institutions and their staff against politically motivated censorship.
🔴 A commitment to protecting academic freedom, intellectual curiosity, and the right to access diverse ideas and perspectives.

Sign and Share!
Defend our libraries. Defend our schools. Defend our right to read. Sign below and make your voice heard!

📢 #ProtectLibraries #StopBookBans #NoBookBaninMA