Florida school district sued for violating first amendment rights with book bans

PEN, Random House and parents file lawsuit after rightwing groups seek to ban books that address racism or sexual identity

PEN America, a non-profit US organization that works to protect freedom of speech, along with publishing company Penguin Random House, and individual parents, have filed a lawsuit against a Florida school district for implementing book bans.

The suit argues the removal and restriction of access to books discussing race, racism and LGBTQ+ identities violates the first amendment. It comes after rightwing groups have sought to remove books from libraries and schools in the US - often ones that address issues of racism or sexual identity.