Book

Emerald Garner: From Tragedy to Triumph, Activist Turned Author Finds Healing and Her Voice in New Book

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GARY, Ind. – Emerald Garner, an activist and author, has faced tragedy throughout her life. The youngest daughter of the late Eric Garner, she witnessed her father’s murder at the hands of the police, a horrific event that was captured on video and broadcasted widely. Eric Garner’s last words, “I can’t breathe,” became a powerful rallying cry for the social justice movement. The police officer involved, Daniel Pantaleo, was later fired for using an unauthorized chokehold to restrain Garner, a 43-year-old Black man who had been arrested for selling loose cigarettes. Pantaleo’s failed attempt to … Read more

Federal Judge Upholds First Amendment Rights in Lawsuit Against Escambia County School District’s Book Ban

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Pensacola, Florida – A federal judge in Pensacola has rejected a plea from the Escambia County School District to dismiss a lawsuit challenging its removal of several books from its shelves. The books in question include “The Bluest Eye,” “Slaughterhouse-Five,” and “The Kite Runner.” U.S. District Judge Kent Wetherell issued a terse order on Wednesday, allowing claims of viewpoint discrimination and denial of the right to receive information under the First Amendment. However, he did reject an equal-protection claim. The lawsuit, filed by PEN America, Penguin Random House, authors whose books were affected, and parents … Read more

Lawsuit Against Florida School District’s Book Ban Granted Permission to Proceed by Federal Judge

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A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit against a Florida Panhandle school district can move forward over its removal of books about race and LGBTQ+ identities from library shelves. The Pensacola-based judge ruled on Wednesday that the writers’ group PEN America, publisher Penguin Random House, banned authors, and parents have standing to pursue their claims under the First Amendment’s free speech protections. However, the judge denied a claim under the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. The federal lawsuit alleges that the Escambia County School District and its School Board are violating the First Amendment … Read more

Federal Judge Allows Lawsuit Against Escambia County School District’s Book Ban to Continue, Protecting Free Speech Rights

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Pensacola, Florida – A federal judge has denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit that claims the Escambia County school district violated free speech rights by removing and restricting books in school libraries. The lawsuit, filed by PEN America, Penguin Random House, five authors, and seven parents, seeks the return of all challenged and banned library books to the shelves. During a hearing at the federal courthouse in Pensacola, U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II listened to arguments from both sides regarding the dismissal of the case. Wetherell ultimately decided to move the case … Read more