This weekend (March 30 – April 1), Alex Cox is excited to represent the CBLDF at EMERALD CITY COMICON in Seattle, Washington! Continuing CBLDF’s cross-country marathon of fundraising, we will be in booth #1007 at the Washington State Convention Center. Deputy Director Alex Cox walks you through our plans for signings, incentives, and Membership appreciation items!
Author: Betsy Gomez
IDW Announces Redshirt Contest Winner!
Late last year, IDW Publishing announced the “Be a Redshirt” contest, asking comics fans to make the ultimate Star Trek sacrifice to save their favorite retailer from censorship! Fans boldly went to bat for their favorite shops, explaining why their local comic shop is important to them and their communities. The winner of the contest has been announced: Coarey Trim, from St. Charles, Missouri! He defended his favorite comic book store, The Fantasy Shop, owned by Mike Brodeur. Trim and Brodeur will be featured on a special upcoming variant cover of the Star Trek comic book. Only 300 copies will be printed, 100 of which will go to CBLDF to help us raise the funds we need to fight for your First Amendment rights!
Click through for the official press release…
Doonesbury Censorship Fosters Outrage, Debate
In response to the controversial nature of last week’s Doonesbury strips — which dealt with Texas’s mandatory sonogram law — many newspapers moved the strips to the editorial page or online only, or they declined to publish the strips entirely. In response, people across the nation have decried the move, arguing that newspapers should not be allowed to decide what they can or cannot read. Editors across the nation have had to defend their decisions, and several newspaper and online editorials have protested the censorship.
Excerpts from various editorials follow after the jump…
News Roundup: The Ryan Matheson Case
Last week, CBLDF announced that Canadian criminal charges against American comics fan Ryan Matheson had been dropped. In turn, Matheson spoke out on his own behalf in a lengthy statement about how he was treated by Canadian authorities, a statement that imparted the indignation and confusion any innocent comics fan would feel after being exonerated from a crime he or she did not commit.
Click through for a round up of some of the coverage of the story.
Latino and Native Authors Keep Tucson Book Ban in the News
In late January, CBLDF joined a coalition of national anti-censorship organizations in protesting the dissolution of Tucson’s Mexican American Studies program, which led to the removal of books and anthologies by Latino and Native American authors from classrooms. Many of the authors who contributed to the books that were banned from classrooms have taken their protest a step further by participating in caravans that have “smuggled” the banned books into Arizona.
Click through for a summary of how authors and various organizations are working to overturn Tucson’s policy.
Support CBLDF in Salt Lake City This Weekend
While CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein, founder Denis Kitchen, and board member Paul Levitz are in New York City for a symposium on how the city has influenced comics, nerds in the west will be able to geek out at SLC Nerd, a one-day event taking place March 24 and featuring live music, cosplay, gaming, and more. Amidst the nerdy festivities, Night Flight Comics is sponsoring a silent auction to benefit CBLDF!
SLC Nerd starts at 2:00 p.m. on March 24 in the Rockwell Room of The Complex (536 West 100 South, Salt Lake City, UT). Come out, get your geek on, and bid on original artwork and signed comics to support CBLDF!
More details after the jump!
CBLDF Founder, Board Member, and Executive Director to Present at COMIC NEW YORK: A SYMPOSIUM
This weekend, CBLDF founder Denis Kitchen, board member Paul Levitz, and Executive Director Charles Brownstein will be participating in Comic New York: A Symposium, which will take place in the Low Library on the Columbia University campus. The two-day symposium “brings together creators and academics to discuss the intertwined histories of American comics and the town where they were born: New York City. From the role of New York as breeding ground for generations of comics talent to the political, periodical, and underground nature of the comics themselves, the best NYC has to offer celebrates this unique medium.”
Kitchen and Brownstein are participating on Saturday, March 24. Kitchen will join Peter Kuper, Sabrina Jones, and John Carey for “Political New York,” a panel that takes place from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. From 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., Brownstein joins Bill Griffith, R. Sikoryak, and Julia Wertz for “Alternative New York.” Levitz will be at the symposium on Sunday, March 25, from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. for “Comic New York and the Academy,” which also includes academics Jonathan W. Gray and N.C. Christopher Couch.
Join Kitchen, Levitz, and Brownstein as they celebrate how New York City helped shape comics during this spectacular symposium, taking place March 24 – 25 at the Low Library, Columbia University (535 West 116th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue). For more details, visit the Comic New York website here.
Win New Artwork for Your Walls in Latest Round of CBLDF Auctions
Last week, CBLDF announced two important victories: Canada Customs dropped criminal charges against comics fan Ryan Matheson and PayPal rescinded their erotic content policy. In the latter case, CBLDF contributed $20,000 to Matheson’s defense. However, Matheson is still $45,000 in debt, and CBLDF is working to help him pay it off.
You can support the effort by making a donation or becoming a member of CBLDF. Or, you can bid on the gorgeous exclusive prints that CBLDF has up for auction. From Abe Sapien to Moebius to Sin City, CBLDF has a piece of artwork that will look great on your walls! Click through for a gallery of the pieces on auction, and place your bids here!
Criminal Charges Dropped in Canada Customs Manga Case
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund are pleased to announce that the Crown has withdrawn all criminal charges in R. v Matheson, the case previously described as the “Brandon X case,” which involved a comic book reader who faced criminal charges in Canada relating to comic books on his computer. The defendant, Ryan Matheson, a 27-year-old comic book reader, amateur artist, and computer programmer has been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.
The total legal costs of this case exceeded $75,000. After taking the case last summer, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund contributed $20,000 to the defense, and the Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund contributed $11,000. The CBLDF also participated in shaping the defense, including recruiting expert testimony for the trial. The organization is currently seeking funds to help pay off the $45,000 debt Matheson incurred as a result of his case, and to create new tools to prevent future cases. To make a contribution to these important efforts, please visit www.cbldf.org.
Full details and resources are available after the jump.
Ryan Matheson’s Personal Statement
After being cleared of any wrongdoing, Ryan Matheson speaks out for the first time about the injustices he suffered at the hands of Canadian authorities because of the comics he had on his laptop. After the jump, he details the mistreatment he suffered in Canada and the profound trauma involved in defending himself against a monstrous, false accusation. He also expresses his gratitude to the many supporters who made contributions to aid his defense. Read Ryan’s full statement after the jump.