The first week of October is Banned Book Week, and we were thrilled to hear that the New Republic’s Banned Book Tour tour will be making a stop in Pittsburgh!
More info Their bookmobile (a “festival on wheels”) will be in the city on October 3rd from 1:30 p.m.– 4 p.m. at Helen S. Faison Arts Academy, 7430 Tioga St, Pittsburgh.
Littsburgh’s co-founder recently found his first novel on a list of banned books (published by Pen America) – so even though we’re not banning a lot of books in Pittsburgh, this week hits close to home.
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating and reading banned books this week!
The American Federation of Teachers, The African American Policy Forum and bestselling author Nora Roberts are some of the notable partners uniting to fight censorship and preserve America’s freedom to read.
The New Republic, a media organization dedicated to addressing today’s most critical issues, proudly announces the launch of an inspiring new initiative aimed at championing the First Amendment and combating censorship: The Banned Books Tour 2023.
Coinciding with the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week, which runs from October 1 to 7, this groundbreaking journey will take TNR’s mission on the road, spreading awareness of the importance of the freedom to read to communities across the United States.
Our bookmobile, a symbol of literary liberation, will visit states that have experienced some of the highest incidences of book censorship, including Texas, Florida, Missouri, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, and will continue to operate through the month of October.
Michael Caruso, CEO and publisher of The New Republic, comments, “Launching a book festival on wheels is a huge new undertaking for us, and I can’t wait to hit the road to support the importance of reading. It’s even more exciting that we can embark in time to support ALA’s Banned Books Week. The New Republic has been a leading defender of the First Amendment for over a century, and this is a new way to give people the tools to join the fight for the freedom to read.”
Produced by Inspira Marketing, The New Republic’s “festival on wheels” will be a transformative experience, forging connections with local communities, renowned authors, bookstores, libraries, and civic leaders, all united in celebrating the fundamental right to read.
This visionary endeavor marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing commitment to safeguarding intellectual freedom and the dissemination of diverse ideas.
We are thrilled to kick-start this remarkable journey at the prestigious Brooklyn Book Festival, running from September 24 to October 2. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners at House of SpeakEasy for their invaluable support via the SpeakEasy Bookmobile, and to Nora Roberts for her significant contributions as a sponsor to our cause.
TNR’s Banned Books Tour 2023 will embark on its journey through the following cities:
● Brooklyn, NY
● Pittsburgh, PA
● Washington, D.C.
● Daytona, FL
● Miami, FL
● Tallahassee, FL
● Jacksonville, FL
● Norfolk, VA
● Springfield, MO
● Lexington, KY
● Dallas, TX
● Austin, TX
● San Antonio, TX
We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed partners who have made this mission possible, including:
The American Federation of Teachers/Real Solutions for Kids and Communities
The American Federation of Teachers is a union of professionals that champions fairness; democracy; economic opportunity; and high-quality public education, health care and public services for our students, their families, and our communities. Visit AFT.org/RealSolutions or follow #RealSolutionsforKids for more information.
Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries. The annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.
The African American Policy Forum
The African American Policy Forum (AAPF) is an innovative and intersectional think tank which launched the From Freedom Riders to Freedom Readers: Books Unbanned campaign in October 2022 to increase critical literacy, voter engagement, and understanding of how the suppression of knowledge renders us unable to confront inequality. Visit aapf.org/truthbetold for
more information.
Bookshop.org
Bookshop.org works to connect readers with independent booksellers all over the world. We believe local bookstores are essential community hubs that foster culture, curiosity, and a love of reading, and we’re committed to helping them thrive.
House of SpeakEasy
SpeakEasy is dedicated to the idea that literature matters and that the essence of literary culture is the relationship between writers and their readers. On stage. In schools. On the road. We believe that book ownership should be a right, not a privilege.
Urban Libraries Council
The Urban Libraries Council has spent 50 years enriching communities by strengthening and promoting the value of libraries as essential public assets.
Join The New Republic on this groundbreaking journey as we embark on the Banned Books Tour 2023. Together, we will protect and celebrate the power of literature and the freedom to read.
About The New Republic
The New Republic is one of America’s most influential political and cultural media brands, shaping the national conversation for more than a century. It has been called “the most entertaining and intellectually agile magazine in the country” and “must reading for thought leaders.” On multiple platforms, including print, digital, and live events, The New Republic presents newsmaking original reporting and incisive commentary on the most critical issues in U.S. politics, foreign affairs, business, technology, and the arts.
Today, The New Republic’s vigorous defense of liberal democracy and its robust tradition of lively civic engagement are more crucial than ever in a dangerous and rapidly changing world.
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