Wisconsin Library Censors Showing of Pro-Life Film in 'Public Meeting Room'

Christian Newswire ^ | March 25, 2011

[Sopater]

Thomas More Society attorneys issued a letter today to Marathon County library officials demanding that the library rescind its decision to cancel a showing by the Wausau "40 Days for Life" group of the pro-life documentary, "Blood Money." The director of the library, Ralph Illick, had cancelled the showing of the movie in one of the library's "public meeting rooms," because he determined that the film's topic -- abortion -- would "interfere with normal use of our library."

"Having to demand that a library not engage in censorship is outrageous," said Peter Breen, executive director and legal counsel for the Thomas More Society. "The library's own policy declares that meeting rooms are to be allocated without regard to the beliefs of those using the rooms, but here, the sincerely held religious beliefs of Wausau '40 Days for Life' that all life is sacred has barred this group from use of these purportedly 'public' rooms. We stand ready to take immediate legal action if the showing of the film is not allowed."

In the letter written to Director Illick, Thomas More Society attorneys cited the library's own "Bill of Rights," which guarantees that, "VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use."

Read the entire letter here.

[Sopater]

My local library has been literally infested with union members working to recall our Republican state senator, Sheila Harsdorf. I figured that it was OK since the library can also be used by regular citizens for things like "Campaign for Liberty" meetings and other patriotic events. However, this just makes my blood boil.

[scorchedearther]

This is a clear case of censorship and is unconstitutional under the first amendment.

[Tax-chick]

... he determined that the film's topic -- abortion -- would "interfere with normal use of our library."

Perhaps he anticipated "choice" fanatics' arriving with Molotov cocktails to show their tolerance.

[aimhigh]

Libraries were one of the first forms of socialism. We shouldn’t be surprised to see them siding with the left.

[plan2succeed.org]

I wrote about this matter here:

"Anti-Jew? Okay; Anti-Abortion? Not Okay; Public Library Meeting Room Policy Depends on Politics of Library Directors"

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