In the wake of the attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris, many free-speech-loving Americans have been confused to say the least by the French government’s seeming hypocrisy in dealing with controversial expression. How could officials support the right to caricature…
Author: Maren Williams
Malaysian Police Again Raid Zunar’s Office, Seize Books
Malaysian police carried out another raid of cartoonist Zunar’s office in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, seizing about 150 books despite having obtained no warrant for the search. Zunar himself is currently abroad in London, but has once again been summoned to…
Long Beach Library Reverses Course on Police Shooting Artwork
Citing a “misunderstanding,” the Long Beach, California public library yesterday invited local artist Lethia Cobbs to return a doll that a library employee had told her to remove from her artwork earlier this month. The piece includes a white police…
Humble Comics Bundles: A Resounding Success!
Over the past several months, CBLDF has been the lucky beneficiary of several comics-themed Humble Bundles. Thanks to all the publishers, distributors, and readers who have chosen to share the proceeds with us! Don’t miss the latest package, the Humble…
Cartoonists Often Forced into Exile
Another stark reminder of the dangers faced by political cartoonists around the world, particularly in the Middle East, was brought up in a recent article by the New Statesman’s Anoosh Chakelian. Cartoonists who refuse to self-censor are often forced to…
Working Poor Challenged in Highland Park ISD
Nearly two months after a review committee in the Dallas-area Highland Park Independent School District decided not to ban Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain from classrooms, a parent has challenged another of the seven books that…
Jeff Smith to Headline Chicago FTRF Fundraiser
Exciting news for Chicago-area residents, as well as librarians attending this month’s ALA Midwinter Meeting: Bone creator Jeff Smith will be the featured speaker at the Freedom To Read Foundation’s annual fundraiser on January 31! Join Smith, a CBLDF board…
On MLK Day, Explore Civil Rights and Black History Through Graphic Novels
Today we celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For educators, librarians and parents looking for an accessible way to help young people explore the Civil Rights Movement and the legacy of slavery in American history,…
School Censorship Update: Victory in Two Delaware School Districts, Setback in Hanover County
While we’ve largely focused on the tragically relevant Charlie Hebdo attack and its global aftermath for much of the past week, the business of U.S. school boards has been marching on as well. We have a few updates from cases…
Threats Continue Against Cartoonists, Newspapers, European Muslims
As anyone who follows our news coverage likely knows, France is certainly not the only country where cartoonists regularly face threats to their livelihoods and even their personal safety. In the week since the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo, the…