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ACLU Statement RE: Miami-Dade School Board's Vote to Authorize the Censorship of the Book 'Vamos a Cuba' in the Public School System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
CONTACT:
Brandon Hensler, Communications Director, 786-363-2700
MIAMI – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida today released the following statement which can be attributed to Howard Simon, Executive Director of the ACLU of Florida and Virginia Rosen, President of the ACLU of Florida, Greater Miami Chapter:
Lawyers and staff of the American Civil Liberties Union are now preparing a legal challenge to today's regrettable decision of the Miami-Dade School Board.
Parents, educators, librarians and others with standing in this matter who are equally concerned about the School Board's disturbing decision should contact the ACLU to discuss becoming a part of this challenge so that book censorship does not become the official policy of the Miami-Dade Schools.
It is unfortunate that the School Board ignored the professional advice of both the Superintendent and the overwhelming finding of two committees of educators, parents and librarians.
Today's precedent – if allowed to stand – opens the door to yank virtually any book off the shelf of a school library at the whim of a single parent and a school board judgment that there is some inaccuracy or omission in a book.
The answer to controversial or unpopular speech -- as the U.S. Supreme Court has said over again -- is to add more information with different viewpoints, not enforce censorship. That is a cure worse than the disease.
The fight for freedom in Cuba cannot be waged as a war on the First Amendment in Miami.
About the ACLU of Florida
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida is freedom's watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For additional information, visit our Web site at: www.aclufl.org.
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