Pendleton Community Event Affirms the Freedom to Read

Families and community members gathered at the Pendleton Community Center for “Read and Rise,” an event held at the start of National Banned Books Week to celebrate reading and oppose government interference in access to books.

Originally reported by Greg Wilson, Anderson Observer (Oct. 5, 2025)
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Organized by Pendleton Area Advocates for Intellectual Freedom (PAAIF), the event featured thousands of free books for readers of all ages—including titles currently being challenged elsewhere in South Carolina—along with music, food, voter registration, and family-friendly activities.

“We are not in favor of banning books,” said Cynthia Warner of PAAIF. “We think people should be able to read whatever they want to read.”

PAAIF formed as a grassroots response to growing censorship pressures and regularly attends school board and library meetings to advocate for professional standards, due process, and First Amendment rights.

Events like Read and Rise show how local communities across South Carolina are standing up for libraries, readers, and the freedom to read.