Stand Up for the Freedom to Read in South Carolina
Freedom to Read SC is a statewide coalition of advocates, educators, librarians, parents, faith leaders, civil rights organizations, and community groups working together to defeat unconstitutional efforts to ban books from school and public libraries.
Book bans violate the First Amendment, which guarantees all Americans the right to access information and the freedom to read without censorship. When books are removed based on political pressure rather than professional standards and lawful process, everyone’s rights are at risk.
Freedom to Read SC exists to ensure that South Carolinians facing censorship efforts are not standing alone.
Freedom to Read SC brings together organizations from across South Carolina representing education, civil rights, faith communities, academic freedom, youth advocacy, and civic engagement.
Coalition members have included:
-
Alliance for Full Acceptance
-
American Association of University Professors – South Carolina
-
ACLU of South Carolina
-
Campaign for Southern Equality
-
EveryLibrary
-
E3 Foundation
-
Grand Strand Pride
-
Harriet Hancock Center Foundation
-
League of Women Voters of South Carolina
-
Lowcountry Black Parents Association
-
Jewish Community Relations Council of the Charleston Jewish Federation
-
National Action Network of Columbia
-
South Carolina Association of School Librarians
-
SC United for Justice and Equality
-
South Carolina NAACP Conference Youth and College Division
-
South Carolina Unitarian Universalist Justice Alliance
-
Upstate LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce
-
Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN)
Together, these organizations reflect a wide range of perspectives but share a common commitment to free expression, professional integrity, and constitutional rights.