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The Hollywood Reporter, Vulture, HuffPost, The Guardian, Billboard, and More Cover Rallying Cry Against Censorship and MAGA Extremism

Washington, D.C. – MoveOn Political Action and LeVar Burton announced this week that nearly 175 authors, actors, musicians, directors, songwriters, and other notable influencers – including Ariana Grande, Guillermo del Toro, Padma Lakshmi, Judy Blume, and more – signed a statement denouncing the rising wave of book bans across the country. In recent days, newly released footage shows Missouri state GOP lawmakers pretending to burn books, and a teacher in Southeast Texas was fired after assigning a graphic novel based on the diary of Anne Frank to an eighth grade class. 

MoveOn also announced it will be headed on the road again, distributing free banned books with its Banned Bookmobile in October. The tour will include events and author readings in states like Georgia, Virginia, and South Carolina during the National Banned Books month as part of its broader “Read Banned Books’’ initiative, as well as stops in conjunction with Crooked Media’s live “Pod Save America” and “Lovett or Leave It” podcast show events.

See the full letter and list of signatories at www.ArtistsAgainstBookBans.com.

  • The Hollywood Reporter: Ariana Grande, Guillermo del Toro, Padma Lakshmi and More Sign Open Letter Denouncing Book Bans and Their “Chilling Effect” (Exclusive)
  • The Guardian: ‘Chilling’: Ariana Grande, Amanda Gorman and others sign letter against book bans
  • Billboard: Ariana Grande, Guillermo del Toro & More Stars Sign Open Letter Against Book Bans
  • Vulture: Ariana Grande Wants Yuh to Stop Banning Books
  • People: Ariana Grande, Gabrielle Union, Guillermo del Toro and Others Sign Open Letter Denouncing Book Bans
  • HuffPost: Hollywood Stars Sign Open Letter Condemning Book Bans From ‘Draconian Politicians’
  • The Messenger: Ariana Grande, Guillermo Del Toro, and Other Celebs Have Called for an End to Book Bans in an Open Letter
  • TheWrap: Judy Blume, Mark Ruffalo, Ariana Grande Among Celebs Who Denounce Book Bans in Open Letter
  • The Hill: LeVar Burton leads dozens of celebs in open letter against book bans
  • The Independent: Ariana Grande among celebrities to denounce ‘chilling’ book bans in open letter
  • The Root: Actors, Activists Join LaVar Burton in the Fight Against Book Bans
  • Lambgoat: Converge, Trivium, Knocked Loose, and more join fight w/ LeVar Burton against banned books

 

Additional details for each of the Banned Bookmobile events, including locations and timing, will be sent out in the coming days. For more information or to RSVP, please contact press@moveon.org

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MoveOn is a people-powered force for progress. MoveOn mobilizes the left to elect Democrats and enact progressive change. We are the homebase for millions of members who refuse to accept the status quo and are moved to take action. For more than a generation, MoveOn has been a bulwark against the radical right, channeling our voices to end wars, protect democracy, and advance justice for all.