The annual Muzzle Awards are out! The Muzzles, presented by the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, recognize the very worst offenders against free expression in the past year. This year’s list, in no particular order, includes:
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The Annville-Cleona, Pensylvania, school board, for removing the picture book The Dirty Cowboy from an elementary school library based on one parent’s contention that it was inappropriate for children.
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Prague, Oklahoma, High School principal David Smith, who withheld valedictorian Kaitlin Nootbaar’s diploma until she wrote a formal apology for using the word “hell” in her graduation speech.
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The Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education, for a policy barring students from wearing clothing promoting any non-Oklahoma sports teams. The policy was supposedly designed to stymie gang activity, but instead snared 5-year-old kindergartner and avid University of Michigan fan Cooper Barton.
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The North Carolina General Assembly, for an unclear amendment to an existing anti-bullying law which could make students who criticize teachers online subject to fines or imprisonment.
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The Idaho State Liquor Division, for refusing to allow the sale of Five Wives Vodka in the state on the grounds that it might offend Mormons and/or women.
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Missouri State Representative Mike Leara, for a bill which would have made it a felony for his colleagues to propose any gun control legislation whatsoever.
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The Democratic and Republican National Committees, both for ignoring the results of voice votes at their respective nominating conventions.
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Another joint award to Maryland State Delegate Emmett C. Burns, Mayor Thomas Menino of Boston, Mayor Edwin Lee of San Francisco, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Alderman Joe Moreno of Chicago. Burns urged the Baltimore Ravens to silence player Brandon Ayanbadejo’s support for same-sex marriage. Menino, Lee, Emanuel, and Moreno, on the other hand, all implied independently that they would try to block Chick-fil-A restaurants from opening in their cities due to president and COO Dan Cathy’s opposition to same-sex marriage.
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U.S. Representative Doug Lamborn of Colorado. Lamborn invited West Virginia mining activist Maria Gunnoe to testify before the House Subcommittee on Energy and Natural Resources, which he chairs. Gunnoe brought along a photo of a young girl bathing in water polluted by mining runoff, but was barred from displaying it during her testimony — and reported to Capitol Police by a member of Lamborn’s staff for possession of child pornography.
You can read more about the Muzzles and access the archives back to 1992 here at the Jefferson Center’s website.
Please help support CBLDF’s important First Amendment work by making a donation or becoming a member of the CBLDF!
Maren Williams is a reference librarian who enjoys free speech and rescue dogs.