Defense of Democracy, a group that says they are "dedicated to preserving the integrity of public education and community resources," has launched a petition on Change.org to protect the Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) from political influence.
Recently, the Charleston County Republican Party proposed a resolution that would alter the library's policies and disrupt the community's access to diverse, uncensored information. In response, Defense of Democracy created the online petition that has garnered over 400 signatures in just over 24 hours.
The petition writes that Charleston County’s librarians curate a diverse collection of materials according to board-approved policies, ensuring that all community members can access a wide range of ideas. It also says that CCPL respects parental authority, allowing parents to guide their children's reading choices without unnecessary external interference. The library also has a well-established appeals process to address any concerns, which they believe has been working effectively.
The petition writes that this is not just about a library; it's about preserving the right of the community to access knowledge without political interference.
A petition signer and local librarian, Laura Isenstein, powerfully captured that sentiment saying: "No one has the right to restrict the reading choices of children except a parent or guardian. This usurping of the right to read freely and choose freely is disgusting and violates the U.S. Constitution."
You can find the petition at www.change.org/
