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ABFFE Joins in Court Challenge of Indiana Censorship Bill
April 10, 2008 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is joining other members of Media Coalition in filing a court challenge to a new Indiana law that requires mainstream bookstores to register with the government if they sell "sexually explicit materials." "Sexually explicit" is defined so broadly that the law could apply to bookstores that sell mainstream novels and other artistic works with sexual content, as well as educational books about sexuality and sexual health.
ABFFE Condemns Indiana Bookstore Registration Law
March 25, 2008 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression has condemned a new Indiana law that requires mainstream bookstores to register with the government if they sell "sexually explicit materials." Indiana H.B. 1042 was signed into law last week by Gov. Mitch Daniels, despite the protests of ABFFE, the Great Lakes Booksellers Association, 15 independent booksellers, and others who sought to dissuade the governor from approving the legislation.
Booksellers Urge Veto of Unconstitutional Indiana Bill
March 13, 2008 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the Great Lakes Booksellers Association, 15 independent Indiana booksellers, and Borders Books and Music are urging Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels to veto a bill that would require bookstores to register with the state if they intend to sell "sexually explicit materials." In a letter to the governor, they declared that House Bill 1042 "violates the First Amendment rights of Indiana booksellers and their customers."
Colorado "Harmful to Minors" Bill Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee
February 14, 2008 - On Wednesday, February 13, the Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee ignored the pleas of booksellers and voted 4 - 2 to approve a bill that bans the sale to minors of books and magazines that are "harmful to minors." Matthew Miller, general manager of the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver and Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Lisa Knudsen, executive director of the Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association, addressed the committee before the vote to express concerns that the bill would have a chilling effect on the sale of material that is protected by the First Amendment for adults and older minors.
ABFFE Seeks Bookstores to Host Reporters' Talks on Confidential Sources
January 03, 2008 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is seeking bookstores to host reporters who want to speak to the public about growing efforts to force journalists to reveal their confidential sources.
Literature Under Fire Around the Country
November 14, 2007 - In the small village of Westhampton Beach on New York's Long Island, Terry Lucas, a parent and owner of The Open Book, has brought community-wide attention to an effort by some local high school parents to ban two popular books from a non-required, "self-select" list of approximately 300 books for ninth graders. In Kanawha County, West Virginia, author Pat Conroy responded to an attempt instigated by three parents of Nitro High School students to have two of his books banned from the school by sending a scathing letter to the local newspaper, the Charleston Gazette.
YA Authors Support Intellectual Freedom "As If!"
October 03, 2007 - In a stand against censorship, approximately 80 Young Adult authors are members of As If! (Authors Supporting Intellectual Freedom), a blog chronicling challenges to YA books around the country. Author members include M.T. Anderson, Meg Cabot, Cynthia Kadohata, Gregory McGuire, and Lisa Yee.
Patriot Act Reform Bill Introduced -- ABA Urges Support
September 26, 2007 - On Tuesday, September 25, the sponsors of the Campaign for Reader Privacy -- the American Booksellers Association, the American Library Association, the Association of American Publishers, and PEN American Center -- lauded the introduction in the U.S. Senate of the National Security Letter Reform Act of 2007, a bipartisan bill to safeguard citizens' privacy. The legislation would amend the Patriot Act to curb the FBI's misuse of National Security Letters and establish an individualized standard of suspicion for Section 215 orders. ABA is urging booksellers to contact their senators to ask them to support the bill.
Are You Reading the Banned Book Blog?
September 26, 2007 - ABFFE President Chris Finan has begun a special Banned Books Week Tour for his new book, From the Palmer Raids to the PATRIOT Act: A History of the Fight for Free Speech in America. And while he's on the road, he'll be writing his Banned Book Blog, sharing thoughts and highlights from the tour over the next week on BookWeb.org's Omnibus blog. Here's a look at the first two entries.
Read Banned Books! ABA and ABFFE Release "The Freadom List"
September 13, 2007 - Banned Books Week begins on Saturday, September 29, and ABA and the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression have collaborated to produce "The Freadom List," a selection of titles for children and adults that have been most frequently challenged or banned.
Federal Judge Strikes Down Patriot Act Provision
September 07, 2007 - On Thursday, September 6, a federal judge struck down parts of the revised USA Patriot Act relating to the FBI's power to use National Security Letters to obtain customer records. U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero declared the Patriot Act provision to be unconstitutional because it allows the FBI to issue gag orders without adequate judicial review.
Off the Record Named ABFFE Book of the Month
September 06, 2007 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression has chosen Off the Record: The Press, the Government, and the War Over Anonymous Sources (FSG) by Norman Pearlstine as its Book of the Month for September. "This is a fascinating book about the critical role that anonymous sources play in providing us with information about our government," said ABFFE President Chris Finan.
ABFFE Urges Supreme Court to Support Free Speech
September 06, 2007 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a lower court decision striking down a provision of a federal child pornography law that bans "pandering" advertisements for books, magazines, and other works protected by the First Amendment. Under the PROTECT Act of 2003, a producer, distributor, or retailer can be sentenced to up to 20 years in jail for advertising a work "in a manner that reflects the belief, or that is intended to cause another to believe" that it contains sexually explicit pictures of minors.
ABFFE Board Welcomes Kaplan & Peters
August 29, 2007 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression has announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: Mitchell Kaplan of Books & Books in Coral Gables, Florida, and Will Peters of Annie Bloom's Books in Portland, Oregon.
ABFFE Offers New FREADOM Products for Banned Books Week
August 13, 2007 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression announced that it is offering two new products incorporating a redesigned version of its popular FREADOM logo -- a small circular button and a T-shirt -- offered in time for this year's Banned Books Week, September 29 - October 6.
ABFFE Launches "Book of the Month" Web Feature
July 12, 2007 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression has announced the launch of the "ABFFE Book of the Month," a campaign to promote books about free speech via a new feature on its website, www.abffe.com. Each month, one new title will be highlighted, along with a list of other recently published works relating to free expression issues.
Last Chance to Order ABFFE's FREADOM Gift Card
June 27, 2007 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression has extended the deadline for ordering its new FREADOM Book Sense gift card to July 9.
eBay Auction & FREADOM Gift Cards to Aid ABFFE
June 20, 2007 - Booksellers can now support the First Amendment work of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression in two novel ways: through Friday, June 29, by bidding in an eBay auction featuring many book-related items; and through Wednesday, June 27, by ordering FREADOM Book Sense gift cards.
ABFFE Charges Madison Ordinance Threatens Reader Privacy
June 14, 2007 - On June 13, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression urged the repeal of a new Madison, Wisconsin, ordinance that requires bookstores that purchase used textbooks to give police the names of the sellers and the titles purchased.
FCC Loss a Huge Victory for Free Expression Groups
June 12, 2007 - On June 4, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit rejected the Federal Communications Commission's new rule that bans "fleeting expletives" that occur occasionally on broadcast television. The FCC had contended that all expletives implied sexual or excretory acts and therefore could be banned, but the court declared that these words are often used to express frustration and excitement -- meaning a blanket ban on the words violated the First Amendment.
Screening the First Amendment: ABFFE Debuts Bookstore Videos at Luncheon
May 31, 2007 - Oren Teicher, ABA COO -- and the founding president of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) -- welcomed booksellers to Thursday's ABFFE Lunch by advising the audience not to take freedom of expression and First Amendment rights for granted. He spoke of ABFFE's 17-year history and its continuing relevance, thanks to the participation of booksellers and current ABFFE President Chris Finan.
Express Yourself: Spotlight on ABFFE at BEA
May 24, 2007 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression will be helping attendees at this year's BookExpo America celebrate free speech in myriad ways. Among the highlights will be the ABFFE Lunch, the ever-popular Silent Auction, a benefit performance by the Rock Bottom Remainders, a party celebrating the publication of ABFFE President Chris Finan's new book, and this year's BEA souvenir T-shirt.
ABFFE Auctions Offer Some of the Best of BEA
May 16, 2007 - A trip to Good Morning America; signed books by Gunter Grass, Danielle Steel, Tom Robbins, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Yann Martel, and Rita Mae Brown; Book Sense Gift Cards; and trade show conference packages are just some of the items in the 2007 American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression BEA Benefit Auction.
When Selling Used Textbooks Is a Privacy Issue
May 09, 2007 - The city council of Madison, Wisconsin's state capital and home to well over 50,000 University of Wisconsin students, has passed new legislation, to take effect in mid July, aimed at combating the problem of textbook theft and resale. Opponents of the legislation, including local independent bookseller Sandra Torkildson, fear that provisions of the new ordinance, which force booksellers to record data about individuals offering textbooks for resale, will inhibit customers' right to privacy.
The Freedom to Speak: From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act
April 26, 2007 - Bookseller Betsy Burton describes Chris Finan's From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act: A History of the Fight for Free Speech in America (Beacon Press) as "one of the most important books of our time." Burton recently spoke to Finan, president of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, about the May title, which Publishers Weekly described as an insightful history and Booklist gave a starred review.
A Spirited Defense of First Amendment Rights
April 03, 2007 - In a Letter to the Editor of the Ravalli Republic, Russ Lawrence, co-owner of Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton, Montana, and president of ABA, recently responded to a local censorship activist who dared critics to prove that obscenity laws threaten free speech. Lawrence's letter, presented here, clearly demonstrated that obscenity laws have been used against legitimate businesses and cultural institutions, and, though often unsuccessful, these prosecutorial attempts have a chilling effect on legitimate artists and institutions that may be unwilling to face such an ordeal.
Federal Judge Strikes Down COPA
March 22, 2007 - On Thursday, March 22, a federal judge in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia struck down the Child Online Protection Act, legislation that would make it a crime for any commercial website to distribute to a minor material that is "harmful to minors." The judge's ruling said that parents can protect their children through software filters and other less restrictive means that do not limit the free speech rights of others.
ABFFE, NCAC Welcome Decisions Clearing Challenged Books
March 08, 2007 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression and the National Coalition Against Censorship have welcomed decisions by federal, state, and local prosecutors that uphold the right of students in Howell, Michigan, to read Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, Richard Wright's Black Boy, Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five, and Augusten Burroughs' Running with Scissors.
Censorship Is Not the Answer
March 06, 2007 - Chris Finan, president of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression and author of the forthcoming From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act: A History of the Fight for Free Speech in America (Beacon Press), recently explained to readers of the San Francisco Chronicle why a lawsuit filed by the Humane Society of the United States will have a chilling effect on books and magazines that are protected by the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. This Open Forum column originally appeared in the Friday, March 2, edition of the newspaper.
Free Speech Groups Condemn FBI Investigation of Literary Works
March 01, 2007 - On March 1, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression and the National Coalition Against Censorship condemned the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan for asking the FBI to investigate a complaint that books used in the public schools of Howell, Michigan, are obscene. The complaint was filed by a woman who was unsuccessful in persuading the Howell Board of Education to remove several books that she dislikes, including Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, Richard Wright's Black Boy, and Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five.
ABFFE Condemns Humane Society Lawsuit, Welcomes Michigan School Board Decision
February 14, 2007 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression has condemned a lawsuit filed by the Humane Society of the United States that seeks to force Amazon.com to halt the sale of subscriptions to magazines about cockfighting. The suit was filed by the Humane Society in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia last week after Amazon.com refused the Humane Society's demand that it discontinue the sale of subscriptions to The Feathered Warrior and The Gamecock.
Free Speech Groups, Booksellers Defend Novels by Morrison, Wright, Vonnegut
February 08, 2007 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the National Coalition Against Censorship, the Great Lakes Booksellers Association, and Aria Booksellers of Howell have joined with other free speech advocates to oppose the removal of novels by Toni Morrison, Richard Wright, and Kurt Vonnegut from the public high school in Howell, Michigan. This week, ABFFE also joined other First Amendment groups to issue a statement condemning government censorship of information about global warming.
School Reinstates Controversial Book After Protests From Free Speech Groups
January 04, 2007 - After the Dover-Sherborn (Massachusetts) Schools book review committee's decision to remove So Far From the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins (HarperTeen) from the school curriculum was met by a wave of protests from free speech groups and area residents, a School Committee voted on Tuesday to reinstate the controversial novel.
Reader Privacy Soon Restored? CRP Lauds Leahy Vow to "Repair" Civil Liberties
December 20, 2006 - The Campaign for Reader Privacy has issued a statement lauding Sen. Patrick Leahy's call for the "restoration, repair, and renewal" of civil liberties in the U.S., including new legislation to repair the "erosion of privacy." Leahy is the incoming chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. "Booksellers everywhere are grateful for Sen. Leahy's interest in restoring privacy," said ABA COO Oren Teicher, "and we will do everything we can to help build bipartisan support for his position."
ABFFE Challenges Miami School Board and FCC
November 30, 2006 - In two separate legal briefs filed in the past week, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression charged that the Miami-Dade County School Board and the Federal Communications Commission are guilty of censorship. In the Miami case, ABFFE's brief condemns the school board's ban on Vamos a Cuba, a book for four- to six-year-olds. The school board banned the book, because it claimed it did not accurately portray the situation of the people of Cuba under the Castro regime.
Working Assets' Customers Asked to Cast a Vote for ABFFE
November 29, 2006 - Although the national elections are over, there is one more vote of importance to the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression this year. Working Assets, the San Francisco-based company that offers long distance, credit card, and wireless services, is currently polling its customers to determine how to distribute the money that it gives every year to 50 nonprofit organizations that work for social change. ABFFE is one of the groups on this year's ballot, and its share of the money will be determined by the number of votes it receives.
ABFFE Welcomes Three New Board Members
November 13, 2006 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression recently welcomed three booksellers to its board of directors: ABA Vice President Gayle Shanks of Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona; Jack Buckley of Ninth Street Book Shop in Wilmington, Delaware; and Cecile Fehsenfeld of Schuler Books & Music in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
ABFFE Urges Booksellers to Display Updated Free Speech Pledge
November 06, 2006 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is urging booksellers to display an updated and newly redesigned statement proclaiming the bookstore's support for free speech and reader privacy, which available is in PDF format via the ABFFE website.
ABFFE Files Brief in Patriot Act Challenge
October 03, 2006 - Last week, the fight to restore safeguards for reader privacy eliminated by the USA Patriot Act returned to court when a federal judge was asked to again strike down a section of the law that authorizes the FBI to issue National Security Letters investigations to bookstores, libraries, and Internet service providers.
Independents Celebrate Banned Books Week With FREADOM
September 27, 2006 - This year's celebration of Banned Books Week (September 23 - 30) is in full swing, and many ABA member booksellers are using the occasion to emphasize the importance of protecting readers' First Amendment rights. Among the new materials that stores with Book Sense are using to promote the weeklong event are limited edition "FREADOM" gift cards.
ABFFE Rolls Out Banned Books Week Campaign
July 12, 2006 - On July 13, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression launched a campaign to encourage booksellers around the country to participate in Banned Books Week, which will be held from September 23 - 30.
Threats to Press Freedom Focus of BEA Panel
May 31, 2006 - Deborah Mathis, former White House and national correspondent for the Gannett News Service and author of Yet a Stranger: Why Black Americans Still Don't Feel at Home (Warner) and What God Can Do (Atria), moderated "Threats to Press Freedom in the War on Terrorism," a panel at this year's BookExpo America.
ABFFE Online Auction Adds Items From BEA
May 25, 2006 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression has announced that a wealth of items donated by publishers during BookExpo America is being added to the online auction that is currently underway on its website, www.abffe.org. The auction is scheduled to end on May 31 at 5:00 p.m., EST.
Rep. Sanders Commends Northshire Books in House Speech
April 26, 2006 - On April 25, Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) entered into the Congressional Record a statement honoring Northshire Books as a "Vermont institution." Noting that the Manchester Center, Vermont, bookstore was named by Publishers Weekly as "Bookseller of the Year," Sanders highlighted the store's diverse selection, its knowledgeable staff, its author events, and its efforts to amend Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act.
ABFFE Seeks Silent Auction Donations
April 05, 2006 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is urging publishers, booksellers, and others in the book industry to support the fight for free expression by contributing to the ABFFE Silent Auction, to be held from Friday, May 19, through Sunday, May 21, at BookExpo America in Washington, D.C. The ABFFE website will feature a concurrent Online Auction, which will continue for two weeks after the conclusion of BEA.
CRP Sponsors Condemn Bush Signing Statement on Patriot Act Oversight
March 30, 2006 - On March 30, the sponsors of the Campaign for Reader Privacy released a statement accusing President Bush of "undermining a new law that expands Congressional oversight of the USA Patriot Act, including the provision that authorizes searches of bookstore and library records."
The Good, The Bad, Detailed on Patriot Act Flier for Consumers
March 30, 2006 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression has created a one-page flier to answer consumer questions regarding the USA Patriot Act reauthorization bill, which was signed into law by President Bush on March 9.
Patriot Act Passes Congress; Bush Signs Bill
March 09, 2006 - On Tuesday, March 7, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 280 - 138 to reauthorize the USA Patriot Act, including a four-year extension of Section 215, which authorizes searches of bookstore and library records. On Thursday, March 9, President Bush signed the bill into law. In response to the House vote, the sponsors for the Campaign for Reader Privacy announced that, though the Patriot Act had been improved, they will continue to work with key members of Congress to restore the protections for reader privacy.
Letter to Booksellers From Oren Teicher Re Patriot Act Passage
March 09, 2006 - With the House and Senate both voting for the USA Patriot Act reauthorization bill, and President Bush's signature on the legislation a fait accompli, this week, ABA COO Oren Teicher wrote a letter to update booksellers regarding the revised Patriot Act and to thank them for their efforts. In addition, ABA is providing booksellers with a PDF that explains to customers the outcome of the Patriot Act reauthorization and also thanks customers for their participation in the Campaign for Reader Privacy.
Booksellers Achieve a Measure of Success With Revised Patriot Act
March 09, 2006 - Since 2002, ABA Board member Linda Ramsdell of Galaxy Bookshop in Hardwick, Vermont, has been instrumental in rallying booksellers and librarians in the effort to amend Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. With the House and Senate voting this past week to reauthorize a revised USA Patriot Act, here, Ramsdell discusses how booksellers' and librarians' efforts in the battle to amend 215 achieved a measure of success and clearly shows that politics is anything but a spectator sport.
Senate Approves Patriot Act Reauthorization
March 06, 2006 - After months of intense debate, on Thursday, March 2, the Senate voted 89 - 10 to reauthorize the expiring provisions of the USA Patriot Act, including a four-year extension of Section 215, which authorizes searches of bookstore and library records.
Senate Vote Clears Way for USA Patriot Act Renewal
March 02, 2006 - On Wednesday, March 1, the Senate voted to clear the way for reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act, including a four-year extension of Section 215, which authorizes searches of bookstore and library records. As of press time, the Senate was expected to vote on reauthorization on Thursday, March 2, and the House is expected to vote on -- and pass -- the legislation on Tuesday, March 7.
Patriot Act Legislation Headed for Reauthorization
February 16, 2006 - On Thursday, February 16, the U.S. Congress took a major step toward the final passage of a revised USA Patriot Act. By a vote of 96 - 3 the Senate agreed to limit debate on the measure, which now is almost certain to be approved by the House and Senate and signed into law. However, before a final vote, Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI) has said that he will "offer several amendments to strengthen the legislation's curbs on government power," as reported by the Associated Press.
Senators Reach Compromise on USA Patriot Act Reauthorization
February 10, 2006 - On Thursday, February 9, a bipartisan group of Senators, led by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced that an agreement on modifications to the USA Patriot Act's expiring provisions had been reached.
CRP Urges Congress to Make "Critical Changes" to Patriot Act
January 26, 2006 - With the deadline for the House and Senate votes on the Patriot Act reauthorization looming, the push to ensure that the reauthorized USA Patriot Act protects readers' right to privacy has begun. On Tuesday, January 24, the Campaign for Reader Privacy faxed Congressional members and urged them to make certain that the reauthorized version of Section 215 safeguards the rights of readers, and on Thursday, January 26, ABA COO Oren Teicher wrote a letter to ABA member booksellers asking them to let their House and Senate members know that they support the reauthorization bill passed by the Senate in June.
A Patriotic Challenge
January 24, 2006 - For the past four years, Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has been at the fore of the grassroots movement to amend Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. In the following editorial, which appeared in The Nation on February 6, 2006, Sanders discusses why it's crucial that, when Congress votes to reauthorize the Patriot Act, the legislation includes "essential reforms" to protect reader privacy.
Thanks Due to Senators Who Supported Patriot Act Extension
January 11, 2006 - With the debate over the USA Patriot Act conference report to intensify in the next couple of weeks, the sponsors of the Campaign for Reader Privacy are asking their constituents to thank the senators who supported a temporary extension of the act to allow time to ensure that the final bill protects readers' rights to privacy.
'Twas the Season for Congressional Patriot Games
January 04, 2006 - The week leading up to Christmas saw a flurry of activity in Congress as lawmakers fought over reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act, which was set to expire at the end of the year. The battle was set when members of the House approved a conference committee report that a bipartisan group of U.S. senators believes does not do enough to ensure the privacy rights of U.S. citizens. Political maneuvering went down to the wire, but the result was a major victory for proponents of readers' privacy rights. A final reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act was postponed to give Congress time to include provisions to protect readers' rights.
And Then There Was One: Patriot Act Showdown Concludes With Five-Week Extension
December 23, 2005 - Setting the stage for what is sure to be a month of intense and heated debate this January, the political gamesmanship of the past several weeks over the Patriot Act conference report finally concluded yesterday, but not without one final twist. In a near-empty chamber, the Senate by unanimous consent approved the U.S. House of Representative's last-minute changes to the Patriot Act reauthorization bill -- reducing the Patriot Act extension from six months to five weeks.
Reader Privacy Victory Sends Patriot Act Fight Into Overtime
December 22, 2005 - In a major victory for proponents of readers' privacy rights, late Wednesday night, the efforts of a bipartisan group of U.S. senators postponed a final reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act, fashioning a compromise that would extend the Act for six months and give Congress time to include provisions to protect readers' rights. However, less than 24 hours later, the U.S. House of Representatives rejected the compromise, passing an extension that would end on February 3, 2006.
Senate Vote on Patriot Act Report Expected Tomorrow
December 15, 2005 - The U.S. House of Representatives approved the USA Patriot Act conference committee report on Wednesday by a vote of 251 to 174. However, the fate of the measure remains uncertain because a bipartisan group of senators has promised to block a final vote on the measure with a filibuster. The Senate leadership, which supports the conference report, will attempt to prevent a filibuster by passing a cloture motion tomorrow morning.
Patriot Act Critics Look to Send Reauthorization Battle Into Overtime
December 08, 2005 - With the U.S. House of Representatives now back in session and the Senate due back in session on Monday, December 12, the final push to amend the USA Patriot Act to protect reader privacy has moved into its final stages. It now appears likely that next week the House will pass a Patriot Act conference committee draft that free speech groups believe does not adequately protect readers' privacy, and the Campaign for Reader Privacy is asking supporters to be ready to urge their Senators to oppose the Patriot Act conference report when it comes before them sometime next week.
Culmination of Reader Privacy Efforts to Come in Mid-December
December 01, 2005 - With the U.S. House of Representatives adjourned until December 6 and the Senate not reconvening until December 12, a vote on the USA Patriot Act conference committee draft is expected to come sometime in mid-December. To ensure Congress accepts a Patriot Act bill that protects readers' right to privacy, the sponsors of the Campaign for Reader Privacy are asking supporters to be ready for a final big push in the coming weeks.
Delayed Vote Provides Opportunity to Express Support for Senate Version of Patriot Act
November 23, 2005 - As a result of the outcry from free speech advocates and civil liberties groups, on Friday, November 18, Congress postponed a vote on the draft USA Patriot Act conference committee report until after the Thanksgiving recess. The decision to delay the vote provides a crucial opportunity to convince Congressional representatives to push for the Senate version of the Patriot Act reauthorization.
CRP Calls for "No" Vote on New Patriot Act Legislation, Urges Supporters to Contact Senators and House Reps
November 17, 2005 - At press time, there remained uncertainty as to the final language and timing of the vote on the U.S. House-Senate conference committee's bill reauthorizing the USA Patriot Act; however, ABA and its co-sponsors in the Campaign for Reader Privacy are urging supporters to immediately contact their senators and House representatives to urge them to vote "no" on the report for the reauthorization of the Patriot Act.
Campaign for Reader Privacy Moves Into Final Stages
November 09, 2005 - The grassroots effort to restore the safeguards for reader privacy that were eliminated by the USA Patriot Act is now in its 11th hour. On Wednesday, November 9, leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives announced the names of the House conferees who are to meet with their Senate counterparts to reconcile their different bills reauthorizing the expiring sections of the Patriot Act.
Second Circuit Court Hears Argument in NSL/Patriot Act Challenge
November 03, 2005 - On Wednesday, November 2, a panel of judges in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City heard two arguments regarding an American Civil Liberties Union challenge to the issuance of National Security Letters to a Connecticut Library and New York Internet Service Provider (ISP), which asked each to turn over customer records in regards to terrorist investigations.
ABFFE Seeks Bookstores to Host Reporters' Talks
November 01, 2005 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is organizing a series of bookstore programs to educate the public about the importance of confidential sources for a free press.
Feingold and Sununu Urge Conferees to Support Senate Patriot Act Bill
October 27, 2005 - On Wednesday, Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and John E. Sununu (R-NH) held a press conference to emphasize their support for the Senate version of the USA Patriot Act reauthorization bill, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent in July.
ABFFE Seeks Bookseller Input on Banned Books Week
October 18, 2005 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is asking booksellers to help formulate plans for next year's Banned Books Week celebrations by sharing their experiences this year.
Patriot Act House Conferee Appointments Remain on Hold
October 12, 2005 - Despite reports last week that the appointment of U.S. House conferees, who will take up USA Patriot Act reauthorization, was imminent, they had still not been chosen when Congress recessed for the Columbus Day and Yom Kippur holidays.
Patriot Act Reauthorization Expected to Move to the Fore Next Week
October 06, 2005 - At press time, it was expected that the names of the U.S. House conferees, who will meet with their Senate counterparts to reconcile their different versions of the USA Patriot Act reauthorization bill, would be announced within the next several days. Barring last-minute scheduling changes, Patriot Act reauthorization will then be taken up in earnest next week, when staff members representing the conferees are scheduled to begin discussions.
Bookstores Raise Awareness of Censorship Through Banned Books Week Events
October 06, 2005 - Each year, Banned Books Week can be counted on to generate inspired discussion and passion about books at various events nationwide. And each year, what seems to be a growing number of censors can be counted on to provide a fresh batch of banned books. Consequently, Banned Books Week 2005, last week's national celebration of First Amendment Rights, was an important event for booksellers, librarians, and many others.
ABFFE Urges Supreme Court to Lift Gag in Connecticut Library Case
October 05, 2005 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression and other book industry organizations are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to lift a gag order preventing a Connecticut library from discussing the chilling effect of a National Security Letter, which seeks to compel the release of customer records.
Free Expression Groups Want Checks on Data Mining
October 03, 2005 - On Monday, September 26, a number of free expression and civil liberties groups, including the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, faxed a letter to U.S. Senate conferees and potential U.S. House conferees to urge them to support a data mining amendment included in the House version of the USA Patriot Act reauthorization bill.
Free Expression Victory in Fayetteville Schools
September 27, 2005 - Just 10 days before the kick off of this year's Banned Books Week, an Arkansas school board voted on Thursday, September 15, to lift restrictions that it had imposed on three sex education books. At a special board meeting attended by about 70 people, the Fayetteville School Board voted four to three to drop its requirement that students obtain parental permission to check out the books from the schools' libraries.
Seeking Banned Books Week Photos & Events
September 26, 2005 - As Banned Books Week continues through Saturday, October 1, Bookselling This Week is asking participating booksellers to let us know how they marked the occasion and to send photos of Banned Books Week promotions and displays for inclusion in a future article.
Online Petition Seeks Lifting of Library Gag Order
September 22, 2005 - The sponsors of the Campaign for Reader Privacy are encouraging booksellers, librarians, and other First Amendment supporters to sign a petition asking the Justice Department to voluntarily lift a gag order that is preventing a Connecticut library from revealing that the FBI is trying to obtain the records of one of its customers.
CRP Petitions Presented to Sanders, Craig, and Senate Conferees
September 15, 2005 - On Tuesday, September 13, ABA and its co-sponsors in the Campaign for Reader Privacy delivered to Congressional leaders petitions bearing over 200,000 signatures of supporters who are demanding that Congress restore their right to reader privacy, which has been eliminated by Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act.
Judge Rules in Favor of Library Fighting FBI Subpoena
September 15, 2005 - A federal judge has lifted a gag order that prevented a Connecticut library from revealing that the FBI is trying to obtain the records of one of its customers. The judge ruled on Friday, September 9, that the gag ordered violated the librarian's First Amendment right to participate in the current debate over the reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act and did not pose a danger of exposing the FBI's counter-terrorism investigation. However, Judge Janet Hall has temporarily stayed her order, allowing the government to appeal.
CRP Petitions to Be Distributed in Washington Soon
September 08, 2005 - Even before the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Congress had set a busy schedule for September, including the confirmation hearings of Judge John Roberts and the reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act. It is now not known whether the conference committee on the Patriot Act reauthorization legislation will meet as scheduled during the week of September 19. However, the sponsors of the Campaign for Reader Privacy are still planning to distribute signed petitions calling for an amendment of Section 215 of the Patriot Act to Senate offices in Washington, D.C., in advance of the committee meeting -- perhaps as early as next week.
CRP to Distribute Petitions to Senators on September 13
September 01, 2005 - The Campaign for Reader Privacy will be distributing signed petitions calling for an amendment of Section 215 of the Patriot Act to Senate offices in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, September 13. ABA is asking booksellers participating in CRP to make sure that all signed petitions are mailed to the association's offices to arrive no later than Friday, September 9.
CRP Calls for Booksellers to Help in Final Push to Amend Patriot Act
August 18, 2005 - The U.S. House and Senate conferees are scheduled to meet in the fall to reconcile their two very different bills regarding Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. With the Senate version of the Patriot Act legislation offering greater safeguards to reader privacy, ABA is strongly urging booksellers to intensify their efforts to collect signatures on the Campaign for Reader Privacy petitions over the coming weeks and to send in the signed petitions they already have.
Campaign for Reader Privacy Urges Last-Minute Calls to Congress
August 11, 2005 - ABA and its co-sponsors in the Campaign for Reader Privacy -- the American Library Association, the Association of American Publishers, and PEN American Center -- today warned that final action on the reauthorization of the Patriot Act could come only days after Congress returns from its August recess.
House Members Urge Support for Senate Version of Section 215
August 11, 2005 - With House and Senate conferees scheduled to meet in the fall to reconcile their two very different bills regarding Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act, on Monday, August 8, Reps. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), C.L. "Butch" Otter (R-ID), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ron Paul (R-TX), and Tom Udall (D-CO) urged House colleagues to encourage House conferees to resist attempts to weaken the safeguards for reader privacy in S. 1389.
ABFFE Files Brief in Support of National Security Letters Challenge
August 10, 2005 - On Monday, August 1, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression and other groups representing libraries, authors, publishers, and professors filed an amicus brief in support of an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit challenging the FBI's authority to issue National Security Letters under 18 U.S.C. 2709 of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986.
ABFFE Kicks Off Banned Books Week Campaign
August 10, 2005 - This week, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression launched a campaign to encourage booksellers to participate in Banned Books Week, which will be held this year from September 24 - October 1. The centerpiece of the campaign is the ABFFE Banned Books Week Handbook Online.
Senate Adopts Amendment to 215, But House Denies Sanders
July 21, 2005 - For free speech and civil liberties groups fighting to amend Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act and restore readers' right to privacy, the events of the last few days were a classic case of good news, bad news. In the Senate's version of the USA Patriot Act reauthorization bill, significant progress was made in correcting and clarifying 215. Meanwhile, in the House, the Republican-led Rules Committee rebuffed efforts to introduce Rep. Bernie Sanders' (I-VT) amendment to restore reader privacy to its reauthorization bill.
House Judiciary Committee Deals Blow to Reader Privacy
July 14, 2005 - On Wednesday, July 13, the Campaign for Reader Privacy criticized the House Judiciary Committee regarding its failure to adopt Rep. Jerrold Nadler's (D-NY) amendment to a bill reauthorizing the USA Patriot Act. Nadler's amendment would have restored crucial safeguards for the privacy of library and bookstore records that were eliminated by Section 215 of the Act.

Booksellers Savor Sweet Smell of Sanders' Success
June 21, 2005 - A week after Rep. Bernie Sanders' Freedom to Read Amendment to the Commerce, Justice, State (CJS) Appropriations Bill decisively passed a House vote, Bookselling This Week spoke to a few booksellers to get their reactions regarding this first important victory in the battle to amend Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act and restore reader privacy.
ABFFE Reissues Harry Potter Flier
June 21, 2005 - To help educate both children and their parents about the importance of free speech, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) is inviting booksellers to insert a flier about the efforts to censor books in the Harry Potter series in the new Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, which has an on-sale date of Saturday, July 16.
Freedom to Read Supporters Celebrate Victory, Look to Redouble Efforts
June 16, 2005 - On Wednesday, June 15, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Bernie Sanders' (I-VT) Freedom to Read Amendment to the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Bill by a vote of 238 - 187, sending a clear message to the Bush administration that Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act needs to be amended to protect Americans' right to privacy. The amendment cuts Justice Department funds for bookstore and library searches under Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act.
Sanders Will Look to Block 215 Once More on Tuesday
June 09, 2005 - At press time, BTW learned that, on Tuesday, June 14, Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is planning to add an amendment to the House Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Bill, which funds the Justice Department, that would cut off funds for bookstore and library searches under Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. Sanders introduced a similar amendment to CJS last July, but the amendment failed on a tie vote after Republican leaders kept the vote open for 20 minutes more than the normal 15-minute time limit and persuaded about 10 representatives who initially supported the provision to change their votes. Watch for an ABA Flash tomorrow with breaking news on this story and an action plan and talking points from the Campaign for Reader Privacy.
ABFFE Online Auction Enters Final Week
June 09, 2005 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression's Online Auction, featuring some of the best bargains for booksellers anywhere, including many new items from last week's BookExpo America, is entering its final week. The Online Auction offers the latest books, book sidelines and services, and a wide variety of entertainment items, ranging from DVDs and video games to original artwork and baseball tickets.
Rep. Bernie Sanders Talks With BTW
May 26, 2005 - Over the past two-plus years, Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has been in the forefront of the fight to protect the privacy of bookstore and library patrons. On Friday, June 3, at this year's Celebration of Bookselling at BEA, ABA and the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression will make a special presentation to Sanders in recognition of his leadership role. BTW recently spoke with Sanders via e-mail about the battle to amend Section 215, his Patriot Act Reform efforts in Congress, and the rumors that there is a Senate run in his future.
Free Expression Groups to Senate Intel: No Administrative Subpoenas
May 26, 2005 - In a letter dated May 23 to Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Pat Roberts and Vice Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV, booksellers and free speech groups, including ABA, the Association of American Publishers, and the Center for Democracy and Technology expressed their opposition to granting the FBI in national security investigations 'administrative subpoena' powers. Administrative subpoenas would allow the FBI to write its own search and disclosure orders with no judicial approval.
Act Now! Letter Asks Booksellers to Help in Urgent Patriot Act Effort
May 26, 2005 - On Wednesday, May 18, ABA e-mailed a letter to a targeted list of approximately 300 ABA member bookstores in the Congressional districts of key House Representatives who could play an important role in amending Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. ABA is urging these booksellers to help its efforts to persuade these representatives that Section 215 needs to be amended to protect the privacy of bookstore and library patrons.
Librarian's Brush With FBI Shapes Her View of the USA Patriot Act
May 24, 2005 - "It was a moment that librarians had been dreading ... On June 8, 2004, an FBI agent stopped at the Deming branch of the Whatcom County Library System in northwest Washington and requested a list of the people who had borrowed a biography of Osama bin Laden. We said no," explains Joan Airoldi, a librarian and the director of the library district in Whatcom County, Washington.
Senate Intelligence Committee "Mark-Up" of Patriot Act Rescheduled; CRP Calls Booksellers to Action
May 19, 2005 - The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence's closed session "mark up" of legislation that would re-authorize and further broaden the powers of the USA Patriot Act, including Section 215, scheduled for today, has been postponed until next Thursday, May 26. The Campaign for Reader Privacy is urging its supporters to call the members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence immediately and request that the May 26 session be open to the public.
Voters in Michigan School Board Election Reject Book Banning
May 18, 2005 - First Amendment activist and bookseller Cammie Mannino, owner of Halfway Down the Stairs Children's Bookshop in downtown Rochester, Michigan, was instrumental in securing the re-election of two incumbent school board candidates. The contentious campaign, which pitted the two incumbents against two newcomers supported by a newly formed conservative political action committee (PAC), ended on May 3 with a record turnout and two-to-one victories over both PAC candidates.
Everyone Has an Opinion: Patriot Act Hearings Prompt Many Editorials
May 18, 2005 - When Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and a group of Vermont booksellers and librarians first called attention to Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act in March 2003, criticism of the provision, which eliminated the safeguards for the privacy of bookstore and library records, was hard to come by in the mainstream media. Now, over two years later, with the Senate and House judiciary committees holding hearings on the Patriot Act's 16 sunsetting provisions (including 215), it is equally clear that the opposite holds true: Hardly a day goes by without some kind of media story on the USA Patriot Act.
Senate Committee Hears Patriot Act Critics
May 12, 2005 - On Tuesday, May 10, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary (SCJ) continued its oversight hearings on the USA Patriot Act and heard testimony from a number of the act's critics. Among those testifying before the committee were Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Larry Craig (R-ID), sponsors of the Security and Freedom Enhancement Act (SAFE) of 2005. In his opening remarks, Craig stressed that it is crucial that the committee not only review how the Patriot Act has been used, but also whether the act leaves open the door for abuses in the future.
South Carolina Internet Statute Struck Down
May 11, 2005 - On Monday, May 9, booksellers and free speech groups, including the Southeast Booksellers Association and the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, scored a victory in the battle against Internet censorship when a judge in the U.S. District Court in Charleston, South Carolina, permanently enjoined a statute that would have criminalized any work communicated on the Internet that is accessible in South Carolina and contains a depiction of nudity or sexual conduct considered to be "harmful to minors."
Appeals Court Dismisses Lawsuit Filed Against Cheney Task Force
May 10, 2005 - On May 10, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed a lawsuit filed in 2004 by a coalition of public interest groups that urged the court to order Vice President Dick Cheney to reveal the names of the people who participated in meetings of an energy task force he appointed in 2001. The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression and other organizations had filed an amicus brief proposing a compromise in the case.
Tri-Partisan Congressional Coalition Forms Patriot Act Caucus
May 05, 2005 - On Thursday, April 29, a coalition of conservative and progressive members of Congress held a news conference to announce the formation of the Patriot Act Reform Caucus. Press conference participants Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Ron Paul (R-TX), Jerry Nadler (D-NY), and Butch Otter (R-ID) called for initiatives that protect the safety and security of the U.S., while ensuring that the laws passed to fight the war on terrorism do not violate civil liberties or diminish our system of checks and balances.
ABFFE Revives BEA Tradition With Steelworkers Art
May 04, 2005 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is reviving the BookExpo America tradition of creating a souvenir T-shirt and poster based on a famous work of art that has been humorously altered by including books. This year's art is based on the famous 1932 photograph of steelworkers eating lunch on a girder suspended high above New York City.
Booksellers Report Final Phase of CRP Going Strong
May 04, 2005 - It's likely that Karin Anna of Looking Glass Bookstore in Portland, Oregon, speaks for many independent booksellers when she describes the final phase of the Campaign for Reader Privacy as "very important." With Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act set to expire at the end of the year and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales acknowledging at Congressional Judiciary hearings that 215 needs some "clarification," it certainly appears that momentum is on the side of those in favor of amending the provision.
ABFFE Extends Silent Auction Deadline
May 04, 2005 - On Tuesday, May 3, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) announced it was extending by one week the deadline for contributions to its Silent Auction, which will be conducted during BookExpo America (BEA) at New York City's Jacob Javits Convention Center in June. The contribution deadline is now Friday, May 13.
ACLU Testifies at House Patriot Act Hearings
April 28, 2005 - On Thursday, April 28, the House continued its hearings on the USA Patriot Act, as the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security heard testimony from four witnesses regarding Sections 206 and 215. During testimony, proponents of making the provisions permanent, including a representative from the Department of Justice, once again reiterated their willingness to clarify Section 215 to safeguard citizens' civil liberties.
Rainy Day Weathers Attention Over Spitting Incident
April 27, 2005 - Jane Fonda wasn't the first controversial author that Rainy Day Books has featured at an author event, and she certainly won't be the last, but the Fairway, Kansas, bookstore may be hard pressed to host another event that garners the same amount of media attention.
ABFFE's Harry Potter T-Shirts Going Fast
April 26, 2005 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is quickly running out of its limited edition Harry Potter T-shirts. Only Adult Medium and Small sizes remain. Booksellers who would like to have the T-shirts for festivities marking the July 16 release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince should order now as supplies are limited.
Freedom to Read Protection Act Co-Sponsors Now at 117
April 20, 2005 - When Rep. Bernie Sanders reintroduced the Freedom to Read Protection Act (H.R. 1157), legislation that would remove the threat to the privacy of bookstore and library records created by Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act, 107 fellow members of Congress were listed as co-sponsors of the bill. Since that time, 10 more members of Congress have added their names to the list of co-sponsors.
CRP Sponsors Welcome Willingness to Address Problems With Patriot Act's Section 215
April 14, 2005 - In a statement released on April 12, 2005, the co-sponsors of the Campaign for Reader Privacy -- the American Booksellers Association, the American Library Association, the Association of American Publishers, and PEN American Center -- said that they welcomed Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' stated willingness to address problems with Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act, which authorizes FBI searches of business records, including the records of booksellers, librarians, and publishers.
ABFFE Seeks Silent Auction Donations
April 13, 2005 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the bookseller's voice in the fight against censorship, is urging publishers, booksellers, and others in the book industry to support the fight for free expression by contributing to the ABFFE Silent Auction, which will be held during BookExpo America in New York in June.
Harry Potter T-Shirt Sale Enters Final Weeks
April 12, 2005 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is quickly running out of its limited edition Harry Potter T-shirts and buttons. Since launching a clearance sale in late March, ABFFE has sold nearly 500 shirts and more than 3,000 buttons.
At House Hearing, Gonzales Says Section 215 Needs Clarification
April 07, 2005 - On Wednesday, April 6, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales appeared before the House Judiciary Committee at an oversight hearing on the USA Patriot Act to answer questions from House Representatives about the 16 provisions of the Act set to sunset at the end of the year. Gonzales, testifying a day after appearing before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, reiterated his stance that the Department would consider amending Section 215 to clarify the law.
Attorney General Defends Section 215 Before Senate Judiciary Committee
April 06, 2005 - On Tuesday, April 5, in a statement before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales urged the oversight committee to renew Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act; however, under questioning, he acknowledged that some modifications to the provision would be acceptable to the Department of Justice. Gonzales testified alongside FBI Director Robert S. Mueller during the SCJ's "Oversight of the USA Patriot Act" full committee hearing.
A Register-Guard Editorial: Revise Patriot Act -- Anti-terrorism powers should be scaled back
April 05, 2005 - As Senate and House Judiciary committee hearings on the USA Patriot Act began this week, many newspapers around the country voiced support for the sunsetting of provisions threatening Americans' First Amendment rights, including Section 215, which relates to the privacy of bookstore and library records. The following editorial appeared in Eugene, Oregon's Register-Guard on Monday, March 28.
Senate and House Plan Patriot Act Hearings for Next Week
March 31, 2005 - With a number of the provisions of the USA Patriot Act set to expire at the end of the year, both the Senate and House Judiciary committees are expected to begin hearings on the USA Patriot Act next week. The House Judiciary Committee hearings are scheduled to start on Wednesday, April 6, and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearings are expected to commence on Tuesday, April 5.
Final Phase of Campaign for Reader Privacy Begins
March 31, 2005 - The final phase of the Campaign for Reader Privacy -- a nationwide grassroots petition drive calling for an amendment to Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act to ensure the privacy of bookstore and library records -- has begun. ABA is distributing new CRP materials -- including redesigned petitions and a new bookmark that asks, "Is Someone Reading Over Your Shoulder?" The petition forms and bookmarks, as a well as a letter to booksellers from ABA COO Oren Teicher, are being mailed in the Red Box to all Book Sense stores. All of the materials are also available upon request or via download from BookWeb.
Seattle Times Urges "Try again, protect libraries, bookstores"
March 29, 2005 - In this March 14, 2005, editorial, the Seattle Times urges Congress to vote in favor of Congressman Bernie Sanders' Freedom to Read Protection Act to protect the privacy of bookstore and library patrons.
Harry Potter Clearance Sale
March 24, 2005 - On March 23, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) announced a clearance sale on its limited edition Harry Potter T-shirts and buttons. 
Let Some Provisions in USA Patriot Act Expire
March 22, 2005 - The following is an editorial that appeared in Macon, Georgia's Macon Telegraph on Monday, March 21.
107 in Congress Join Sanders in Co-Sponsoring the Freedom to Read Protection Act
March 17, 2005 - Last week, 107 fellow members of Congress joined Rep. Bernie Sanders in reintroducing federal legislation that would remove a threat to the privacy of bookstore and library records created by Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. Under the Freedom to Read Protection Act (H.R. 1157), the FBI would be barred from seeking personally identifiable information concerning a patron of a bookstore or library. The government may still attempt to subpoena this information if it can show probable cause.
Sanders Reintroduces Freedom to Read Protection Act
March 10, 2005 - On Wednesday, March 9, at a press conference on Capitol Hill, Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) announced the reintroduction in the House of Representatives of the Freedom to Read Protection Act, legislation that would amend Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act to protect the privacy of bookstore and library patrons. Representing independent booksellers at the press conference were Linda Ramsdell of The Galaxy Bookshop in Hardwick, Vermont, and ABA COO Oren Teicher.
Madison Lobbying Amendment May Burden Small Business Owners' Free Speech
March 09, 2005 - In Madison, Wisconsin, a proposed ordinance that amends a 2001 city law that requires lobbyists to register and report expenses related to their activities could have a chilling effect on public dialogue, according to Sandra Torkildson, owner of A Room of One's Own Bookstore. That's because the ordinance would eliminate the exemption for small business owners, such as Torkildson, who are active advocates in their communities: they would be required to register as lobbyists and to keep detailed records on all their "lobbying" activities -- thereby burdening their First Amendment rights.
Patriot Act Battle Begins Anew
March 03, 2005 - On Wednesday, March 9, Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is expected to hold a press conference in Washington, D.C., to announce that he is reintroducing the Freedom to Read Protection Act, legislation to amend Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act to protect the privacy of bookstore and library patrons. In advance of the reintroduction of Sanders' legislation, ABA is encouraging booksellers to send a letter to their members of Congress to urge them to support Sanders' legislation and to become a co-sponsor of the bill.
Bill Maher to Perform at BEA Book Industry Foundation Benefit
March 03, 2005 - Comedian and author Bill Maher will perform for an audience of booksellers and other book industry professionals at this year's BookExpo America Book Industry Foundation Benefit. The exclusive, "closed" appearance on Saturday, June 4, at New York City's The Town Hall will benefit the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression and the Association of American Publishers Get Caught Reading Campaign.
Michigan Bookseller Defends Freedom to Read
February 17, 2005 - Cammie Mannino, the owner of Halfway Down the Stairs bookstore in Rochester, Michigan, and an American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression board member, has recently spent a lot of time doing something other than selling books -- she has been called on by the Rochester school board to defend the freedom to read.
Victory Final in Arkansas Display Statute Challenge
February 17, 2005 - Last week in U.S. District Court, the Arkansas State's Attorney General dropped the appeal of a federal court decision that struck down the provisions of an Arkansas code that criminalized the display of books that are inappropriate to younger minors, but constitutionally protected as to older minors and adults. The state's decision marks the end of the case and signals a First Amendment victory for the plaintiffs. As part of the settlement agreement, the state will pay the plaintiffs' legal fees.
ABFFE Challenges Texas Board of Ed, Vice President Cheney
November 30, 2004 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression recently filed amicus briefs in two cases challenging First Amendment rights. On Monday, November 22, ABFFE filed a brief in a case challenging the Texas State Board of Education's decision to reject a highly regarded science textbook because it allegedly blames "Christianity, democracy, and industrialization [for] causing the so-called environmental 'crisis.'" And on Monday, November 29, ABFFE joined a coalition of public interest groups urging a federal appeals court to order Vice President Dick Cheney to reveal the names of the people participating in meetings of an energy task force that he appointed in 2001.
No Rest for ABFFE's Chris Finan
November 23, 2004 - American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression President Chris Finan was recently elected chair of the National Coalition Against Censorship and to the board of trustees of the American Library Association's Freedom to Read Foundation. Here, BTW talks to Finan about his appointments and about ABFFE's plans for 2005.
A First Amendment Victory in Arkansas
November 23, 2004 - On Tuesday, November 16, a federal court in Little Rock, Arkansas, struck down the provisions of an Arkansas Code that criminalized the display of books that are inappropriate to younger minors but constitutionally protected as to older minors and adults. "Our victory in Arkansas is great news," said Chris Finan, president of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, one of the plaintiffs in the case.
CRP Sponsors Vow to Continue Battle to Amend Section 215
November 11, 2004 - This week, the sponsors of the Campaign for Reader Privacy vowed to continue their efforts to amend Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act.
Customers Testify SAFE(ly) at Ninth Street
October 28, 2004 - On Thursday, October 21, Common Cause of Delaware, a nonprofit citizens lobbying organization dedicated to government reform and accountability, held a citizen's public meeting on the Safety and Freedom Ensured Act (S. 1709, SAFE Act) at Ninth Street Book Store in Wilmington, Delaware. The SAFE Act seeks to amend provisions of the USA Patriot Act, including Section 215, which gives law enforcement officials broad authority to demand that libraries or bookstores turn over books, records, papers, and documents.
Arkansas Supreme Court Says Display Law Covers All Minors
October 27, 2004 - On Thursday, October 21, the Arkansas Supreme Court rejected the Arkansas Attorney General's contention that amendments to an Arkansas statute restricting the "display" of material that is "harmful to minors" applied to materials only harmful to more mature minors. The Supreme Court's opinion means that, when the case goes back to the federal judge, it will most likely be struck down on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.
CRP Petitions: Not Too Late
October 13, 2004 - Although the formal presentation to Congress of thousands of Campaign for Reader Privacy petitions took place on September 29, bookstores that still have signed petitions should send them to the American Booksellers Association. "We'll be doing a supplementary presentation to Congress" said ABA COO Oren Teicher, "so, even after the deadline, if bookstores still have signed petitions, they should send in what they've got."
Ninth Street Book Store to Host Common Cause SAFE Act Hearing
October 12, 2004 - On Thursday, October 21, Common Cause of Delaware, a nonprofit citizens lobbying organization dedicated to government reform and accountability, will hold a citizen's public meeting on the Safety and Freedom Ensured Act (S. 1709, SAFE Act) at Ninth Street Book Store in Wilmington, Delaware. The SAFE Act looks to amend provisions of the USA Patriot Act, including Section 215, which gives law enforcement officials broad authority to demand that libraries or bookstores turn over books, records, papers, and documents.
Reader Privacy Concerns Overblown Says Tampa Trib -- Not So Say Booksellers
October 12, 2004 - On Sunday, October 10, the Tampa Tribune ran a letter to the editor from Carla Jimenez and Leslie Reiner, co-owners of Inkwood Books in Tampa, who were responding to the newspaper's editorial "The Patriot Act's License to Snoop Causes Unjustified Anxiety." "While Attorney General Ashcroft refers to concerns about bookstore and library privacy as 'hysteria,'" wrote Jimenez and Reiner, "your readers should know that there is strong disagreement."
Michigan Booksellers Welcome Display Law Clarification
October 07, 2004 - On Tuesday, October 5, Michigan booksellers announced that they welcomed a judge's legal decision that clarified a new state law regulating the display of material that is "harmful to minors." In early January, six independent booksellers, the Great Lakes Booksellers Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, and others filed a lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of the law, which makes it illegal to allow a minor access to any material that is "harmful to minors." On September 2, U.S. District Court Judge Anna Diggs Taylor dismissed the booksellers' complaint, but, in her decision, clarified that the law only affects books, magazines, and other material that have "harmful" material on their covers.
Reader Privacy Petitions Presented to Congress
September 30, 2004 - On Wednesday, September 29, the Campaign for Reader Privacy petition drive culminated with a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as representatives of the four sponsoring organizations presented to Congress petitions containing nearly 200,000 signatures. ABA COO Oren Teicher; Salman Rushdie, president of PEN American Center; Pat Schroeder, president of the Association of American Publishers; and Carla Hayden, past president of the American Library Association, personally handed Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) petitions bearing 9,000 signatures collected in his home state of Vermont. Also in attendance to accept the petitions was Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA). The bulk of the thousands of signed petitions were delivered to Sanders prior to the presentation.
Banishing the Banning of Books
September 30, 2004 - An annual bookseller favorite, Banned Books Week is sparking dialogue and great enthusiasm this year with a variety of events around the country. Under the shadow of Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act, Banned Books Week 2004, the national celebration of First Amendment Rights, has never been more important to booksellers, librarians, and many others.
Michigan Bookseller Finds CRP Displays Draw Customers
September 16, 2004 - On Friday, September 9, all four locations of Schuler Books & Music mounted displays to encourage customers to participate in the campaign to amend Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. The stores in Grand Rapids, Walker, Lansing, and Okemos, Michigan, have set up displays that include Campaign for Reader Privacy petitions and fliers that offer additional sources for information on the Patriot Act.
Campaign for Reader Privacy Deadline Just Days Away
September 16, 2004 - Booksellers participating in the Campaign for Reader Privacy petition drive should note that the deadline to submit signed petitions is only five days away. In order for all collected signatures to be counted, booksellers must send all petitions by September 20 to ABA. Until that time, ABA is urging booksellers to keep collecting signatures. On another front, on Tuesday, September 14, the Board of Legislators of Westchester County, New York, which is home to ABA, voted 11 - 6 to join some 352 cities and counties and four states that have passed resolutions urging Congress to repeal provisions of the USA Patriot Act. Before the vote, ABA COO Oren Teicher appeared before the board and urged them to approve the resolution.
Banned Books Week Right Around the Corner
September 09, 2004 - With Banned Books Week, the national celebration of First Amendment rights, just over two weeks away, booksellers are being encouraged to take advantage of the event to educate the public about the importance of protecting bookstore and library privacy, particularly since the passage of the USA Patriot Act in October 2001. Banned Books Week Kits are available to bookstores through the American Library Association for $55. For the kits to arrive by September 24, they must be ordered by Thursday, September 16.
Patriot Act Petitions Needed by September 20
September 09, 2004 - The final days of the Campaign for Reader Privacy petition drive are drawing near. Participating booksellers should remember that in order for the signatures they have collected to be counted all signed petitions must be sent by September 20 to ABA, Restore Reader Privacy, Attn.: Oren Teicher, 828 S. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591. Of course, until that time, ABA is urging booksellers to keep collecting signatures!
Final Weeks to Collect Signatures Calling for Patriot Act Amendment
September 01, 2004 - The arrival of September marks the final weeks of the Campaign for Reader Privacy petition drive, and ABA is urging booksellers to make one last push to collect the maximum number of customer signatures. The petitions will be presented to members of Congress on September 29, as part of Banned Books Week (September 25 - October 2) celebrations.
Reader Privacy Petition Drive to Culminate September 29
August 25, 2004 - With the final phase of the Campaign for Reader Privacy nearing, ABA is encouraging all booksellers to intensify their efforts to collect signatures for the grassroots petition drive to amend Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. On September 29, during Banned Books Week, the petitions will be presented by the sponsors of CRP -- ABA, ALA, AAP, and Pen American Center -- to members of Congress. In order for the signatures to be counted, ABA is requesting that all signed petitions be sent to the association's headquarters in Tarrytown by September 20.
The FBI Shouldn't Be Reading Over Our Shoulders
August 12, 2004 - The following op-ed piece was written by ABA COO Oren Teicher and appeared in the August 9 edition of Newsday.
Patriot Act Petitions: Customers Keep Signing; Booksellers Keep Collecting
August 05, 2004 - Catherine Price of Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, Vermont, called Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act -- a provision that gives the FBI broad authority to search bookstore and library records -- "a form of censorship -- subtle, but censorship nonetheless…. It could inhibit people from reading books they might want to read." Gauging from the number of signatures the store has garnered in support of the Campaign for Reader Privacy, Norwich Bookstore's customers wholeheartedly agree.
Celebrate Reader Privacy -- Banned Books Week Set for September 25 - October 2
August 03, 2004 - Bestsellers in paperback,Banned Books Week, the national celebration of First Amendment rights, now in its 23rd year, will be held from September 25 - October 2. With the presidential election just months away, the 2004 theme is "Elect to Read a Banned Book." hardcover, and children's categories.
Freedom to Read Protection Act Co-Sponsors Now at 151
July 28, 2004 - Although Vermont Rep. Bernie Sanders' (I) Freedom to Read Amendment to the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Bill was recently voted down, support for the Freedom to Read Protection Act (H.R. 1157) continues to grow, with six new sponsors signing on in the wake of the amendment's defeat. Democrats Robert Brady (PA), Chaka Fattah (PA), Gene Green (TX), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ), Robert C. Scott (VA), and Gene Taylor (MS) are the newest sponsors of H.R. 1157, which now has a total of 151 co-sponsors, including 15 Republicans.
Chorus of Editorials Chastise Congress for Sanders Amendment Vote
July 21, 2004 - The defeat of the Freedom to Read Amendment to the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Bill, which came about as the result of a tie vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 8, has been the subject of a number of recent newspaper editorials that have taken to task those in Congress who voted against it. Papers ranging from Florida's St. Petersburg Times to the Seattle Times questioned why so many in the House voted along party lines when freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment are put at risk by provisions of the USA Patriot Act.
Template Letters Regarding Historic Vote on Sanders' Amendment Now Available
July 14, 2004 - To help booksellers respond to last week's historic tie vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on the Freedom to Read Amendment to the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Bill, ABA has prepared template letters that can be adapted by booksellers to send to their representative based on his or her vote on the measure.
Rep. Sanders Vows to Continue Fight to Amend Patriot Act
July 13, 2004 - On Monday, July 12, Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) held a press conference at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington, Vermont, to announce that he would continue his efforts to get Congress to pass an amendment of Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act to protect the privacy of bookstore and library patrons' records.
Freedom to Read Amendment Fails on Tie Vote
July 08, 2004 - On Thursday, July 8, the Freedom to Read Amendment to the Commerce, Justice, State (CJS) Appropriations Bill, died in a tie vote -- 210 - 210 -- in the U.S. House of Representatives. The amendment had been introduced by Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and would have barred the Justice Department from using any of the money appropriated under the CJS bill to search bookstore and library records under Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act.
Public Support for First Amendment Freedoms Makes a Comeback
July 08, 2004 - According to this year's annual State of the First Amendment survey, conducted by the First Amendment Center in collaboration with American Journalism Review magazine, although deeply shaken by the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001, Americans' support for their First Amendment freedoms has bounced back to pre-9/11 levels. The survey, conducted by the Center for Survey Research & Analysis at the University of Connecticut, includes 1,000 respondents contacted by telephone between May 6 and June 6, 2004.
Support Sought for Sanders Amendment to Block Funding for Section 215 Searches
July 01, 2004 - Next week, on Wednesday or Thursday, Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is planning to add to a House appropriations bill, which funds the Justice Department, an amendment that cuts off funds for bookstore and library searches under Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. ABA, in conjunction with its partners in the Campaign for Reader Privacy -- the American Library Association and PEN American Center -- is urging members of the book industry, the library community, and the general public to immediately contact their House representative to ask him or her to support the Sanders-Paul-Conyers-Nadler Freedom to Read Amendment to the Commerce, Justice, State, and Judiciary Appropriations Bill.
Free Speech Victory: High Court Bars Enforcement of COPA
June 30, 2004 - On Tuesday, June 29, the Supreme Court, by a 5-4 vote, upheld a lower court ruling barring enforcement of the Child Online Protection Act and remanded the case back to District Court. A broad group of plaintiffs -- including the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, A Different Light Bookstore in San Francisco and West Hollywood, City Lights in San Francisco, and Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon -- hailed the decision as a victory for the First Amendment.
Campaign for Reader Privacy Still Going Strong
June 24, 2004 - Two weeks ago, ABA, the American Library Association, and PEN American Center -- the sponsors of the Campaign for Reader Privacy -- announced that, due to the enthusiasm and strong response from booksellers and libraries, Phase I of the petition drive will continue over the summer. The planned presentation of signed petitions to Congress has been moved back to September 2004. Here's a brief look at the status of pending legislation seeking to amend the Patriot Act.
Free Speech Defeat: Supreme Court Sides With Littleton, Colorado
June 17, 2004 - A recent unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision -- in a case in which chain store Christal's challenged a Littleton adult-business licensing ordinance on the grounds that it violated the retailer's First Amendment rights by not allowing for prompt judicial review -- ruled in favor of the city ordinance. And, while the judges' decision confirmed that First Amendment cases required a prompt review and ruling, they noted that accelerated procedures with two-to-three day time limits do not apply to city ordinance licensing.
ABFFE Online Auction Closes Friday
June 16, 2004 - The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression's online auction will close Friday, June 18, at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. The online auction offers an assortment of single items and packages, including autographed books, baseball tickets, airline ticket vouchers, and regional bookseller association trade show packages.