Thank you for your work!

RWU law professor and coalition leader Nicole Dyszlewski said “The passage of this bill says that all stories have value…. You don’t have to agree with someone to recognize that there is value in their voice, their story, or their existence as a human”

Bill sponsor Sen Mark McKenney spoke about the need to protect our public institutions, and also shared advice for advocates: “Remember every legislator has a library in their district”

Rep David Morales highlighted the broad coalition of engaged citizens and grassroots coalition building that led RI to pass a bill that will be a model for other states. He also spoke about the importance of libraries as public places that are open to all - without charge

Governor Dan McKee spoke about his lifelong love for libraries, and their importance of libraries for the towns and neighborhoods

Senate President Valerie Lawson, a former history teacher, said “This bill is about protecting intellectual freedom”

Speaker Joe Shekarchi said “The Freedom to Read is the freedom to think… which is a cornerstone of our democracy”

Cheryl Space welcomed everyone to the Rochambeau Library and reminded us of just how many people worked for the passage of #FreedomToRead - as citizens and as elected officials

Hear, hear!

@jenstewart4ri.bsky.social 📚🩷

Perfect hashtag! Yes!