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The CBLDF Hits North Carolina, Celebrates 30 years of HEROES CON!

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by Alex Cox

This weekend (June 22-24), CBLDF is excited to be attending HEROES CON 2012, joining an insane roster of writers, artists, and comic legends, all celebrating the 30th anniversary of one of the greatest regional shows in the comics world!

Heroes Con is is a spectacular show; it is not only a labor of love by Shelton Drum and his amazing staff, but a living, breathing testament to how one store can create a vibrant community that stretches nationwide. The Heroes Con show floor is all about Comics, with a capital “C”, boasting an artist’s alley that truly represents a top-notch cross-section of the best and brightest talent working today. I have yet encountered a fan or creator that has anything less than a heart full of love for this terrific show, and I include myself in that list.

Click through for a sneak peek of our new T-shirt!

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Facebook Removes Israeli Artist’s Cartoons

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According to an online journal covering Palestinian and Israeli affairs, Facebook removed cartoons against racism and capitalism drawn by Tel Aviv illustrator and animator Mysh, whose work often critiques the Israeli government. At least one of the images has since been re-uploaded, with an apology from the company.

Click through for more on the story…

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Artistic Censorship Continues to Plague Post-Revolutionary Tunisia

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On the heels of Tunisia’s Nessma television channel director Nabil Karoui being convicted of “disturbing public order” and “threatening public morals” for airing the animated cinematic adaptation of Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis on his station last October, artistic censorship continues to plague Tunisian artists in the post-President Zine El Abdine Ben Ali era. In recent weeks, the struggle between artistic freedom and government censorship has seen books seized from bookstores for alleged religious blasphemy and artwork removed from an exhibition for being “too politically engaging.” Ending government-enforced censorship was an integral aspect of the revolutionary movement in Tunisia, but instead of the practice coming to a halt, Tunisian artists are discovering that censorship is simply taking new forms.

Click through for CBLDF blogger Mark Bousquet’s look at the victories and defeats in combating Tunisian censorship…

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Will Eisner Graphic Novel Prize for Libraries Announced

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A new graphic novel award for libraries, named after format progenitor Will Eisner, will debut at this week’s American Library Association Annual Conference in Anaheim, California. As reported in a post on The Beat, the three winning libraries “will each receive a selection of books nominated for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, a $2,000 voucher to purchase more GNs, and a $1,000 stipend to hold author events.” According to the press release from the Will & Ann Eisner Family Foundation, each library will also receive Eisner’s complete works, bringing the value of the prize package to approximately $4,000.

More after the jump…

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CBLDF Teams with NCAC and ABFFE in Defense of Alan Moore’s NEONOMICON

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Today, CBLDF joined forces with the National Coalition Against Censorship and the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression to write a letter in defense of Alan Moore’s Neocomicon (Avatar Press), which has recently been challenged in the Greenville, South Carolina, public library system. Objections to Neonomicon were raised by a patron after her teenage daughter checked out the book, which contains adult themes. The book was correctly shelved in the adult section of the library, and the teenager possessed a library card that allowed access to the adult section.

Click through for the full text of the letter CBLDF, NCAC, and ABFFE sent to the Library Board of Trustees at the Greenville County Public Library.

Please help support CBLDF’s important First Amendment work and defense against library challenges such as this by making a donation or becoming a member of the CBLDF!

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Neil Gaiman Thanks CBLDF Supporters With New Auctions, Member Rewards!

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Neil Gaiman is showing his support for the CBLDF this week with the contribution of several items from his personal collection to raise money for our important education work!

Starting this weekend, while supplies last, all donors who join the Fund at the $500 level will receive a copy of the hard to find Neverwear print “The Day The Saucers Landed” signed & sketched by Neil! To claim this reward, join or renew your membership here!

Neil also contributed some terrific one-of-a-kind items that the Fund is offering on eBay, including an extremely rare copy of “Nicholas Was…” the first holiday card by Gaiman, with calligraphy by Dave McKean. Neil personally contributed this signed piece from his private archive, along with the other fine pieces being offered this week.

Proceeds from this member appreciation drive and these auctions will benefit CBLDF’s summer education efforts, including the funding of a short documentary about the Ryan Matheson manga case, and Matheson’s appearances at upcoming conventions to raise awareness of the important rights issues his case illuminates.

Full auction details follow the jump.

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CBLDF Heads to the Mile High City This Weekend!

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CBLDF Deputy Director Alex Cox is headed to Denver, Colorado, this weekend for the Denver Comic Con, a literary conference and convention at the Colorado Convention Center. He’s excited to see the myriad of Free Speech supporters that populate the Rocky Mountain State and its neighbors. He’ll have an array of signed graphic novels at booth 420, ready to go home with any fan of comics and Free Speech. Click through for more details!

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Manga Translator Acquitted of Child Pornography Charges In Swedish Supreme Court Ruling

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Swedish news outlet The Local reports that their Supreme Court has overturned the conviction of manga translator Simon Lundström on child pornography charges relating to manga files on his computer. The court’s decision reflects the viewpoint of free speech advocates, including the CBLDF, that sexually explicit manga images are protected artistic expression and not child pornography. The court stated, “The criminalization of possession of the drawings would otherwise exceed what is necessary with regard to the purpose which has led to the restriction on freedom of expression and freedom of information.”

CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein welcomed the ruling, stating, “This is an important victory for free expression and for manga. The Swedish Supreme Court has correctly drawn the boundary that governments have a compelling interest in prosecuting criminal behavior, not ideas or expression. Child pornography is an abhorrent crime because real people are harmed, and the creation, distribution and possession of that content are criminal behaviors that contribute to creating victims. Today’s ruling that drawings of an imaginative nature where no victim is created cannot be child pornography is clear-minded and will hopefully provide guidance here in the United States and around the world when similar cases arise in the future. We congratulate Mr. Lundström and his attorney Leif Silbersky for their courageous efforts in reaching this important decision.”

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Alan Moore’s NEONOMICON Challenged in South Carolina Library

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Neonomicon, the Bram-Stoker Award winning series from Alan Moore and artist Jacen Burrows, has been challenged at a library in Greenville, South Carolina. The book was shelved in the adult section of the library, which is generally restricted to minors unless they have parental permission. A 14-year-old girl who had permission from her mother checked out the book. After asking her mother about a profane word used in the book, her mother looked at the book and filed a complaint. The book was challenged for sexual content and is currently under review.

More after the jump…

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Media Coalition Counsel Michael Bamberger Wins Freedom to Read Foundation Roll of Honor Award

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Michael Bamberger, First Amendment attorney and counsel for the plaintiffs protesting Utah’s H.B. 260, which would have curtailed constitutionally-protected speech online, is the recipient of 2012 Freedom to Read Foundation Roll of Honor Award. Bamberger is general counsel for the Media Coalition, which includes CBLDF. Click through for a look at his work in defense of Free Speech and more about the award.

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