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SDCC: You’re Invited To CBLDF’s 25th Anniversary Comic-Con Welcome Party!

Celebrate Comic-Con and the CBLDF’s 25 years of defending comics at the CBLDF 25th Anniversary Welcome Party! Image Comics and Threadless are pulling out all the stops for this year’s party with an astonishing gift bag for the first 200 attendees, stunning raffle gifts, and the launch of the new Threadless Comics Tee: Noir!

SDCC: CBLDF Master Sessions & Panels!

Throughout Comic-Con International, July 20-24, you’ll find amazing signed premiums and CBLDF exclusives at Booth 1920. But the action doesn’t stop there — CBLDF has an incredible series of panels throughout the weekend!

From learning at the feet of comics masters, such as Jaime Hernandez, Matt Wagner, David Peterson, and more, to getting the latest information about CBLDF’s Canada Customs Case, to our annual benefit auction, CBLDF offers plenty of opportunities to learn about the Fund and see some of our biggest supporters in action!

Read on to find out more about CBLDF’s Comic-Con International panels!

Bonfire Agency Launches CBLDF’s First Consumer Advertising Campaign

With the recent announcement of CBLDF’s Canada Customs Case, CBLDF gained a valuable new partner in the fight for Free Speech: Bonfire Agency. Bonfire, a firm specializing in pop culture marketing, took on the heady task of helping CBLDF reach out to supporters with the first consumer advertising campaign in CBLDF’s history.

To support CBLDF’s defense of free speech, you can make a donation or become a member. Thanks to Bonfire, you can also run print ads, post a banner on your website, or provide an informative pamphlet to your customers. Download the print ad here. You can also download several sizes of animated or flat banners: 160 x 600 banner (swf or gif), 300 x 250 banner (swf or gif), or 728 x 90 banner (swf or gif). Finally, the pamphlet is available for download here.
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SMILE for the CBLDF with Raina Telgemeier!

Raina Telgemeier is the creator behind Smile, an award-winning autobiographical graphic novel that Publishers Weekly calls, “A charming addition to the body of young adult literature that focuses on the trials and tribulations of the slightly nerdy girl…” Telgemeier also adapted and drew several The Baby-sitters Club graphic novels and co-wrote the bestselling X-Men: Misfits graphic novel.

CBLDF is delighted to add signed copies of Smile and a charming signed print that Telgemeier drew to promote reading to its Rewards Zone!

Judge Hears Arguments in Case Challenging Search of Electronic Devices at Borders

In the past three years, nearly 12,000 people have had their electronic devices searched when crossing international borders into the United States. These searches are being challenged in Abidor v. Napolitano, a case that could have repercussions for anyone carrying electronic devices when crossing international borders into the United States.

The case sheds light on the border search issues that CBLDF has been tracking and about which we issued an advisory last spring. Abidor v. Napolitano pertains specifically to the search and seizure of Pascal Abidor’s laptop when he traveled by train from Canada to New York. Upon learning that Abidor, an American and French citizen and Islamic Studies graduate student, had traveled in the Middle East, US Customs and Border patrol agents pulled Abidor aside and ordered him to log into his laptop. They proceeded to examine the contents of his laptop, which included images of Islamic militants that Abidor was using for research purposes. Abidor was then handcuffed, placed in a jail cell, and interrogated for several hours by Department of Homeland Security agents. Abidor was released that night, but the DHS held onto his laptop for a further 11 days, returning it only after the ACLU inquired after it on Abidor’s behalf.

On September 10, 2010, the ACLU filed a lawsuit on behalf of Abidor, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), and the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), arguing that DHS’s practice of searching personal electronic devices is unconstitutional, violating both the First and Fourth Amendments. more

Support CBLDF’s defense of free speech and coverage of issues like this by making a donation or becoming a member today!

Babymouse Supports Free Speech with the CBLDF

Babymouse, the star of the eponymous and award-winning graphic novel series, supports Free Speech and has plenty to say about it!

Fans of the extremely popular Babymouse series were treated to something special at this year’s ALA annual conference: the premiere of a CBLDF-exclusive Babymouse print, illustrated by series artist Matthew Holm!

As an extra bonus, on Saturday afternoon during the conference — shortly before being awarded another Newbery Honor — Babymouse author Jennifer L. Holm was on hand at the CBLDF booth to sign the prints and express her support for the Fund in person! Fans of every age stopped by to join the Fund and get a signed print, and the excitement was infectious as Jenni interacted with Babymouse readers.

The Holms created the print to generate interest in Free Speech and the First Amendment among younger readers. The Holms have enjoyed huge success with the award-winning Babymouse graphic novel series, and this signed print is an exciting addition to the many donation premiums available from the CBLDF!

The Babymouse print is now available in our online donation center, and it will be in stock in our booth during Comic-Con International in San Diego. CBLDF will also have copies of Babymouse and Squish, signed by both Matthew and Jenni Holm, at Comic-Con.

CBLDF thanks the Holms for creating this wonderful print and their continued support of Free Expression!

More Artists Join the CBLDF/TFAW Third Annual Auction Event!

CBLDF and TFAW are gearing up for our Third Annual Autograph Card / CBLDF Auction Event at Comic-Con International, and we’re already saving our pennies to bid on some exceptional pieces!

We’ve added more folks to the lineup and the art has started rolling in. Here’s the latest lineup, and don’t miss the gallery that follows!

Artists, we are still looking for donations! Please support Free Speech by donating an original piece of art! If you can help, please contact CBLDF at info@cbldf.org!

Crazy 8 Press Launches with CBLDF Benefit at Shore Leave 33

This weekend, the founders of Crazy 8 PressPeter David, Michael Jan Friedman, Robert Greenberger, Glenn Hauman, Aaron Rosenberg, and Howard Weinstein — take their superhero act on the road to attend Shore Leave 33 and support the CBLDF in the process!

Shore Leave 33, a fan-run science fiction convention, takes place July 8-10, 2011, at the Marriott’s Hunt Valley Inn in Baltimore, Maryland. David, Friedman, Greenberger, Hauman, Rosenberg, and Weinstein are all on hand to celebrate the launch of Crazy 8 Press throughout the weekend. Their celebration includes the writing of an original story on the convention floor, the sale of which will benefit CBLDF’s First Amendment work! more

Please support the CBLDF’s defense of Free Speech by making a donation or becoming a member today!

Canada Customs Case in the News

With the recent spate of legal victories that CBLDF has celebrated, Brigid Alverson with CBR’s Robot 6 blog took a moment to touch base with CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein about the Canada Customs Case:

It’s been a momentous week for the CBLDF. Last Friday we announced our decision to build a coalition to aid an American traveler facing prison time in Canada and registering as a sex offender for traveling with comics on his laptop. On Monday we received news that the U.S. Supreme Court had struck down a California law that would have made violence a new category of unprotected speech by banning the sale and display of violent video games, and that Justice Scalia cited our amicus brief as part of his majority decision. And just today news arrived that we successfully helped knock out an Alaska law that would have placed severe restrictions on internet speech. more