Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

Tucson School District Blocks Renowned Chicana Author’s Visit

by Betsy Gomez • April 30, 2012

Since ending the acclaimed Mexican American Studies program, the Tucson Independent School District has done little to ameliorate the outcry about censorship that has arisen in response. TUSD’s latest move is unlikely to help them win any friends: the school district recently rejected an offer to read from award-winning author Ana Castillo. Castillo offered to read at schools throughout Tucson free of charge and to pay for her own travel in an effort to help the community heal from the rift that resulted from the school board’s decision to end the MAS program and remove books from classrooms.

More details after the jump…

Features, Headline, Homepage, Legal, News Blog

Arizona Legislature Narrows Focus of Worrisome Electronic Speech Bill

by Betsy Gomez • April 27, 2012

Earlier this month, we announced that Arizona’s HB 2549 — a bill that could have limited constitutionally-protected electronic speech — had been pulled back by the state legislature for revision. This week, Eugene Volokh with The Volokh Conspiracy laid out those revisions, discussing how the revisions conform to constitutional standards. In sharing a letter written by the Media Coalition in opposition to the bill, CBLDF was one of the first organizations to cover a story that had otherwise flown under the radar. In its original form — which the Arizona legislature had passed and was on Arizona governor Jan Brewer’s desk for signature — the bill could have created vulnerabilities for cartoonists and publishers.

Click through for more on the revisions to HB 2549.

Fundraising, Headline, Homepage, News Blog

CBLDF Hosts Member Appreciation Signings & More at Stumptown Comics Fest!

by cbldf • April 27, 2012

This weekend, CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein will represent the organization at the Stumptown Comics Festival, where we’ll have signings from Craig Thompson, Dan Piraro, and Ron Randall, as well as a huge array of signed comics and graphic novels that you can get for making a donation in support of our important work! Stumptown is one of the great American independent comics festivals. In addition to the action on the convention floor, the entire Portland comics community goes all out hosting a wide variety of parties, art exhibits and special events showcasing the city’s unique comics culture. Read on for the full scoop on CBLDF’s activities and all the special events happening at the show!

Features, Fundraising, Headline, Homepage, News Blog

CBLDF Attends 10th Anniversary MoCCA Fest This Weekend!

by Betsy Gomez • April 27, 2012

This weekend, CBLDF Executive Director Alex Cox will be joining comics creators, publishers, and fans in New York City for MoCCA Fest 2012, the 10th anniversary of the festival that benefits the work of the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art. Photographer Seth Kushner, writer Christopher Irving, and artists Dean Haspiel and Peter Kuper will also be on hand to sign exclusive prints inspired by Kushner and Irving’s book, Leaping Tall Buildings. The sale of these prints benefits CBLDF’s important First Amendment work.

Get all the details after the jump!

Fundraising, Homepage, News Blog

LA Times Festival of Books Tells A Success Story For CBLDF!

by cbldf • April 26, 2012

Last weekend, Deputy Director Alex Cox traveled to Los Angeles to represent the CBLDF at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. It was a terrific weekend, featuring signings by Sam Humphries (left) and Lev Grossman. The CBLDF raised $3,000 for our important work protecting free speech, and got a glance of a small sliver of what the LA comics scene has to offer. Read on for Alex’s adventures after the jump!

Headline, Homepage, News Blog

Dr. Seuss Quote Banned in Canadian Classrooms

by Betsy Gomez • April 26, 2012

According to one school district in British Columbia, Canadian teachers shouldn’t be allowed to display a quote by Dr. Seuss. The Prince Rupert School District banned a quote from Seuss’s classic Yertle the Turtle from classrooms after declaring that the quote violated a district policy against political speech in classrooms. Basically, the district declared the quote “too political.”

More details on the ban after the jump…

CBLDF is an official sponsor of Banned Books Week, which takes place September 30 – October 6, 2012. Banned Books Week is dedicated to “celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment.” CBLDF is creating tools that retailers and librarians can use during this year’s 30th Anniversary Banned Books Week Celebration to raise awareness of challenged and banned comics and graphic novels. To get a headstart on the festivities, please check out the CBLDF Rewards Zone, where we have items such as our “I Read Banned Comics” t-shirt available to help raise money for this important program. If you have a First Amendment emergency, call 1-800-99-CBLDF!