A Florida judge ruled against the state's book ban, stating it violates free speech. Judge Carlos Mendoza emphasized that the removal of numerous books, including classics and award winners, is unconstitutional. He argued that none of these books are obscene and that restrictions are unreasonable given the role of school libraries. The impetus behind the ban, passed in 2023, lies in its broad application to materials addressing race, gender, or sexuality, creating an environment of censorship that impacts educational content and expression.
"The removal of many of these books [is] unconstitutional," noting that "many are classics, modern award winners, and tested on AP exams."
"None of these books are obscene. The restrictions placed on these books are thus unreasonable in light of the purpose of school libraries."
"The ban on material which 'describes sexual conduct' is too broad, as the benchmark does not evaluate the work to determine if it has any holistic value."
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