Craig Bailey/Florida Today / USA TODAY NETWORK
Syndication: Florida Today
(New York, NY) – Local residents are getting a chance to express themselves tonight at a public hearing in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, amid ongoing controversy concerning library books. As we covered earlier this week, a group of town residents feel the books in question are sexually explicit and generally inappropriate for children. But at the same time, some Glen Ridge residents say they’re “United Against Book Bans,” adding the desire to pull LGBTQ+ friendly books amounts to hateful conduct.
We caught up with two women – both of them mothers who have had children go through Glen Ridge schools – to try and give you our listeners a chance to hear both sides of the debate.
Specifically, a group known as Citizens Defending Education, Glen Ridge have highlighted six books they thought should be considered for removal: All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johson, Here and Queer by Rowan Ellis and Jacky Sheridan, It’s Not the Stork by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley, It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberle, This Book is Gay by James Dawson, and You Know, Sex by Cory Silverberg.
WABC’s Noam Laden spoke to Erin Ackerman, one of the parents who think the books should stay at the Glen Ridge Public Library.
WABC’s James Flippin chatted with Fran Deacon, a member of Citizens Defending Education, Glen Ridge.
Wednesday night’s hearing is being held at the Ridgewood Avenue School’s auditorium.
