It’s Thanksgiving, which means it’s time to give thanks for the the right to read. CBLDF has scored a number of notable victories in 2017, defending the legal rights of our community of retailers, educators, librarians, creators, and readers!
Here’s a snapshot of our free speech victories in 2017!
Fighting Unconstitutional Legislation
The Fund helped facilitate the replacement of California’s flawed autograph law, protecting the rights of comics retailers, artists, and bookstores.
- VICTORY! CA “Autograph Law” Replaced, Protecting Comics Retailers & Artists
- CBLDF Advisory: CA AB 1570
CBLDF joined a Media Coalition amicus brief in Tobinick v. Novella, and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld our assertion that speech hosted on a website that also displays ads does not automatically become “commercial speech,” a category of speech that has less protection. This is a valu-able victory for creators who publish comics online!
CBLDF continued battling the so-called “Beloved bill” in Virginia, which would have required schools to warn parents about materials containing “sexually explicit” content. The latest bill was vetoed by the governor.
- VICTORY: “Beloved Bill” Vetoed in Virginia
- CBLDF Joins Letter Asking VA Governor to Again Veto ‘Beloved Bill’
- CBLDF Joins Protest of Revived ‘BelovedBill’ in Virginia
We joined a Cato Institute-led amicus brief in Lee v. Tam, a case in which the Supreme Court unani-mously struck down portions of the Lanham Act and upheld an activist Asian-American band’s right to an “offensive” trademark.
- “The Band Who Must Not Be Named” Wins Supreme Court Case
- Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Lee v. Tam
- CBLDF Joins Amicus Brief in Support of “The Band Who Must Not Be Named”
Supporting Retailers
The CBLDF Retailer Rights Workshop is a new program protecting comic stores and their staff! Content ranges from in-depth overview of laws governing content to how-to sessions for managing situations like police visits, media attacks, and other areas affect-ing the right to sell comics. CBLDF staff will deliver these workshops across the U.S. throughout 2018! To find out when we’re coming to your region, please email info@cbldf.org with the subject line “Retailer Rights Workshop.”
Defending the Right to Read
Here are some of the books we have successfully defended so far in 2017:
Sword Art Online 1: Aincrad by Reki Kawahara and abec
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, with art by Ellen Forney
- Victory in MN: Annandale Board Rejects Challenge to Alexie Book
- VICTORY: Minnesota School Board Stands by Alexie Book
- Victory in IL: Absolutely True DiaryRetained in 10th Grade Curriculum
- VICTORY in California: Conejo Valley Board Finally Approves Part-Time Indian
- VICTORY in Wisconsin: Board Unanimously Supports Part-Time Indian
- VICTORY: WI Superintendent Stands By The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
- Part-Time Indian Survives Wisconsin Challenge
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Mockingbird Returns to Class in Biloxi–With Strings Attached
- CBLDF Joins Defense of To Kill a Mockingbird in Biloxi
- To Kill a Mockingbird Pulled From Curriculum
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
- VICTORY in Wisconsin: The Glass Castle Remains in High School Curriculum
- CBLDF Joins Defense of The Glass Castle
- Wisconsin Parent Wants The Glass Castle Out of Curriculum
I Am Jazz by Jazz Jennings, Jessica Herthel, and Shelagh McNicholas
- NCAC Praises CA School for Upholding Right to Read
- California School District Reaffirms Support for Teacher Who Read Transgender Books
- California Parents Protest Kindergarten Read-Aloud of Transgender Books
This Day in June by Gayle Pitman
- CBLDF Joins Letter Thanking West Chicago Library for Defense of This Day in June
- West Chicago Library Board Votes to Retain This Day in June
- TONIGHT: West Chicago Library Board Considers Challenge to This Day in June
CBLDF is Thankful for YOU!
Our work would not be possible without our supporters — members, retail stores, creators — like YOU!
Protecting free speech is an unending battle. With your support we can continue the fight. Please donate to the Fund today!
Become a Member!
We have membership plans for donors in every budget, each with its own premiums and benefits, and all of them are tax-deductible. Of course, the number one benefit of membership is peace of mind. You’ll know that there’s someone at the other end of the phone when a reader’s freedom to read is attacked, a retailer gets busted, a graphic novel is challenged in libraries, an artist is brought up on charges — all for exercising their First Amendment rights! Become a member of CBLDF, and help preserve comics as a vital medium for this century!
Click on the links below to find out more:
Already a Member? Here’s how you can help:
You can make a cash donation online via the CBLDF Rewards Zone here. You can also make one-time or recurring donations by visiting CBLDF on PayPal here.
You can also donate with a check. Checks should be made payable to “CBLDF” and sent to the following address:
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
15110 Boones Ferry Road, Suite 220
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Make an In-Kind Donation
Want to donate a tangible item, such as original artwork or collectible comics? Please email info@cbldf.org.
CBLDF offers a variety of signed books, exclusive prints, branded premiums, and much more to thank you for your donation. Visit the CBLDF Rewards Zone here to check out the amazing items we have up for grabs!
Looking for something extra special? Check us out on eBay here, where we have rare and exclusive signed books, posters, sketches, and more up for bid. You won’t find many of these items anywhere else!
If you can’t make a monetary donation, you can donate your time! Volunteering with CBLDF is a great opportunity to meet like-minded fans and professionals who make the CBLDF the most vital non-profit organization in comics. It also looks great on a resume, helps you meet public service requirements for school or work, and helps you develop important skills applicable to a variety of professions. We need help writing for the website, on design projects, in the office, and at events and conventions around the country! If you’re ready to make a difference, please e-mail CBLDF at info@cbldf.org.
CBLDF is classified as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service, and donations are tax-deductible in the year they are given. Please consult with your tax advisor to determine the full extent to which your donation is deductible.