[Lwvcnmtopics] LWVCNM - Call to Action - Freedom to Read New Mexico Needs You Now

[LWV CentralNewMexico]

LWVCNM Members,

Please take action now! We only have until January 30th. The Freedom to
Read New Mexico Coalition, of which LWVCNM is a member, is still working
hard to get three bills added to the 2026 Legislative session. We haven’t
been successful, *YET*. Book Banning and Librarian Protection Legislation
still needs our support to be heard by the legislature. My understanding is
that the Governor is unsure this is an issue in New Mexico. Well, it is!
Right now, *anyone* can ask for a book to be banned, Librarians are being
harassed for doing their jobs, and Authors are being targeted. People are
trying to take away your rights and make decisions for you.

To emphasize the sense of urgency you should know that Senator Thorton is
currently planning a censorship bill that is ALREADY on the agenda, SB 49.
His bill would rate various library materials through the opinion of
volunteer parents and community participants... which basically hands
librarian rights over their catalog to outsiders who want to see diverse
themes, characters, and authors *wiped* from library shelves.

Our three Legislator champions have urged us to call the Governor’s office
and specifically ask if the three Freedom to Read bills will be going on
this session's legislative agenda.

*Here is the governor's office number: (505) 476-2200.* Spread it around
and make those calls. Let's flood the phone line.

The bills are

HB26 *PROHIBITING BOOK BANNING AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES* sponsors Rep. Cates,
Rep Caballero <https://www.nmlegis.gov/Members/Legislator?SponCode=HROYB>,
and Sen. Sedillo Lopez

SB45 *ACADEMIC LIBRARY MANAGEMENT POLICIES *sponsors Sen. Sedillo Lopez,
Sen. Pope, and Rep. Cates

SB65 *MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARIES *sponsors Sen. Sedillo Lopez,
Sen. Pope, and Rep. Cates

Another way you can take action is to fill out and submit a form located
here - Ask Governor Lujan Grisham to Put Libraries and Free Speech on the
Legislative Agenda
<https://www.freedomtoreadnewmexico.org/put_libraries_readers_on_agenda>

Why not do both!

Please pass this on to others. New Mexico needs this legislation. Let's
exercise our democratic rights.


Sincerely,

Starlyn Brown, President LWVCNM


League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico
6739 Academy Rd. NE  Suite 124
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109-3352
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