Mass Freedom To Read is a coalition of Massachusetts parents and readers, authors and creators, libraries, booksellers, and publishers. We believe that freedom of expression, including the freedom to read, is a fundamental American right, protected by the First Amendment.

In the United States, we have the right to access books with a wide range of information and perspectives. We have the right to freely express our own ideas through speech, writing, and art.

In Massachusetts, challenges to library collections, programs, and displays have more than doubled in over the last three years. Massachusetts authors and creators have had their work banned or challenged in dozens of states, and in Massachusetts itself. Massachusetts booksellers have faced harassment and intimidation at their events.

Parents have the right to guide their own children's reading, but parents should not dictate what other people's children are allowed to read. In Massachusetts, with our deep and valued history of patriotism, we know that censorship is the opposite of a patriotic act.

Now is the time for the Massachusetts state legislature to pass a comprehensive Freedom to Read bill that protects librarians and educators from harassment for doing their jobs; and protects authors, creators, booksellers, and publishers from economic harm due to censorship. To that end, we support the passage of An Act Regarding Free Expression (H.3594/S.2328).