Monthly Archives: June 2013

We Have an Op-Ed in Today’s “Times of Trenton” Fighting Video Game Disinformation

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Blog of the National Coalition Against Censorship

Check out today’s Times of Trenton op-ed page for a piece by NCAC Executive Director Joan Bertin calling out the dubious logic and “research” behind a bill the New Jersey legislature just passed that would put the state Department of … Continue reading →

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Blast from the Past: Read Original News Articles from the Historic Island Trees Book Banning Case

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Blog of the National Coalition Against Censorship

Thirty-one years ago today, the Supreme Court upheld students rights to read in the Island Trees School district in Long Island. The 5-4 decision of Board of Education vs. Pico found that the school board violated the First Amendment when … Continue reading →

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Board of Ed v. Pico: 31 years of reading freely in school libraries

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Blog of the National Coalition Against Censorship

If you love libraries, you might know that today marks the anniversary of an important decision upholding the First Amendment in schools. In Board of  Ed. v. Pico (1982), the plurality opinion stated that school libraries have “special characteristics” as … Continue reading →

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Chill Out, Colorado. Marijuana Mags Are Protected Speech

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Blog of the National Coalition Against Censorship

This post brought to you by summer programs intern, Justin Haddock. Justin is a student at Reed College where he studies political science and biology. He is interested in public policy, behavioral economics, and willful hypocrisy. Smoke all you want … Continue reading →

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SCOTUS Bans Demonstrations on Grounds

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Blog of the National Coalition Against Censorship

The following post was written by NCAC’s summer legal intern, Ryan Gander. Ryan is a current student at Columbia Law School. His interests include philosophy, civil liberties, science fiction, and video games. The Supreme Court has a troubled relationship with … Continue reading →

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Youth Free Expression: Learning and Coping through Open Conversation

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Blog of the National Coalition Against Censorship

Every parent wishes their child could be spared the worst of life. War, lingering sickness, hurt and hate: all of these are things most would rather keep far distant from the lives of their children. Yet, we are all called to confront … Continue reading →

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For Free Expression, Privacy is a Must

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Blog of the National Coalition Against Censorship

The nation is abuzz this week following Edward Snowden’s leaks about the NSA’s comprehensive (and fully unconstitutional) surveillance program (Click here for the Guardian’s live feed of Snowden-related news). Those of us who spend our time protecting civil liberties are appalled … Continue reading →

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Kudos to the Kids Right to Read Advocates of Glen Ellyn!

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Blog of the National Coalition Against Censorship

–UPDATE– Last night the board voted 6-1 to keep the book. They will be instating new policies that will hopefully balance parental concerns with students rights and the professional judgments of teachers. ——————————————— The students, teachers, parents and citizens on … Continue reading →

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Wrestling with internet hate speech

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Blog of the National Coalition Against Censorship

In the coming weeks we will be featuring posts from our smart and savvy summer interns. This post is by programs intern Eli Siems. Eli is a recent graduate of SUNY New Paltz with a degree in English. He is passionate about … Continue reading →

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Help! Speak Up Against The Ban of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Blog of the National Coalition Against Censorship

Over a month ago now, the Glen Ellyn school board voted 4-2 to ban the book The Perks of Being a Wallflower from middle schools in District 41. The district’s ad hoc committee of teachers, parents and administrators read and … Continue reading →

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