(WASHINGTON) – As banned books in public schools nationwide become “normalized,” according to PEN America’s latest report Banned in the USA 2025, a Congressional resolution today called on local governments and school districts to defend the freedom to read while 35 advocacy organizations signed a joint letter that calls for public action against book banning and recommitting to fight censorship and authoritarianism all year.
Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD-8) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the resolution that called out restrictions on the freedom to read as an antidemocratic tactic that authoritarian regimes worldwide have employed. The resolution urged local governments and school districts to protect the rights of students to learn and the ability of teachers and librarians to teach “by providing students with a wide array of books reflecting the full breadth and diversity of viewpoints and perspectives.”
“The threat of book bans has gone from the local and state level to our service academies and schools run for our military families,” said PEN America’s Director of Government Affairs Ian Schwab. “The freedom to read should be protected for all students, teachers and librarians. Whether at a DoDEA school or a public school, book bans are wrong and cannot continue to be normalized as a feature of our educational system. For these reasons we deeply appreciate and thank Representative Raskin and Senator Schatz and every co-sponsor for their continued commitment to free expression and literary access.”
Released last week, PEN America’s latest report on book bans documents 22,810 instances of book bans since 2021 and 6,870 cases during the 2024-2025 school year.
“In the fourth year of the censorship crisis, book bans have disproportionately impacted stories written by or about members of the LGBTQ+ community as legislative attacks on the LGBTQ+ community continue by the federal and state governments,” said PEN America’s Freedom to Read Program Director Kasey Meehan. “Books with themes of race and racism, sex and sexuality, along with those on politics and democracy, have been banned, too. It is important that students have access to books that give them insight into the world around them.”
The coalition letter urges elected leaders to promote legislation that protects books, schools, libraries, and librarians and calls on the public to speak out on October 11 for Let Freedom Read Day, among other actions. It was signed by national education, authors, LGBTQ+, military families and other advocacy groups.
Since 2021, PEN America has been a leader in documenting the spike in book bans and educational censorship, which is unprecedented in modern times. Not since the 1950s McCarthy era of the Red Scare has censorship become so entrenched in schools. The writers and free expression group has mobilized citizens to resist the censorship and authoritarian threats to the first amendment that have been fueled by intolerance and exclusion.
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], (201) 247-5057