The League of Women Voters’ mission is to empower voters and defend democracy. We do this in many ways like registering voters and encouraging people to participate in government. We believe that diversity and inclusion, undergirded by free speech, creates a stronger democracy for everyone.

These beliefs are under attack in Greenville in a very real way. Tonight, the County Council will consider a resolution to censor books in the Greenville County Library System. Most of these books contain LGBTQ+ characters, so this is a thinly veiled assault on their community.

Proponents of this effort are falsely claiming that these books indoctrinate children in homosexuality and expose them to pornographic information. In addition to the attempt at censorship, this is creating a pretext for harassment of library employees, including baseless calls to law enforcement to “investigate pornographic materials” at the library. Needless to say, no pornography has been found.

All of the challenged books have been vetted through the library process and deemed to be age-appropriate. In addition, because children are not allowed to be unattended in our public libraries, parents have complete control over what their children read and are exposed to.

Supporter, we are asking for your support by doing these things today:

• Call or email your County Council representative. If you don't know your Council district, you can find it here..
  
  Find contact info for your member on our website.
  

• Explain that you are in their district and that you are opposed to any action by County Council to restrict or censor these books. The freedom to read stories about people of diverse sexual and gender identities can validate and empower all youth, especially those who may identify as LGBTQ or who are being raised in nontraditional families. Because County Council appoints the board of our public library system and approves the library budget, they have a lot of control over what actions are taken.
  

• Come to the County Council meeting tonight to show your support of the LGBTQ+ community and to protest this censorship. Wear your LWV pin (and bring a banned book if you want to).

Meeting Details
Location: Council Chambers, County Square, 301 University Ridge, Greenville
Time: Tonight, November 1 at 6 p.m.
Bonus: Early voting is open at this location until 6 p.m., so come early and cast your vote, if you haven't already.

• Follow these two groups on Facebook
  Freedom to Read SC (The LWVSC is a coalition member)
  Freedom in Libraries Advocacy Group Greenville
  
  Thank you for your support of the League in Greenville and for your commitment to protecting democracy.

Susan Bell,
President