(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The American Library Association and the ACLU are publicly condemning bomb threats that were made this week against a number of Chicago area public libraries.
The American Library Association said libraries are meant to be a safe haven, welcoming of people who believe in the peaceful exchange of ideas. Library Association executive director Tracie Hall said the rising attacks on America’s libraries pose an existential threat to the cornerstone of our democracy.
“It’s very, very concerning and, of course, it is a pattern that we don’t want to see repeated or continue to grow.”
Hall said people need to stand up for their libraries.
“This should be a call to action, especially during national library card sign-up month, which September is, that we have to stand for libraries.”
Ed Yohnka of the American Civil Liberties Union said the idea that, instead of being a place of learning and inclusion, libraries are becoming locations of threats, is a troubling and disturbing trend in society.
“I think it’s not an accident," he explained. "I will say, that this week, there was a major hearing in Washington D.C. on book bans that very much featured Illinois and then the next follow on is libraries in Illinois being threatened."
Yohnka said people need to turn out in support of their libraries.
“As a parent, I certainly have a right to decide what my child reads or doesn’t. What I don’t have is the right to decide for everyone else.”
The American Library Association said the freedom to read is a constitutionally protected right, and reading choices must be left to the read and in the case of children, their parents.
The ALA goes on to say that "threats of physical harm and harassment are not, and never have been, protected speech."
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram