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From: Rhino <no_offline_contact@example.com>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv
Subject: Re: Libraries won't stand up for First Amendment
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2025 03:48:25 -0400
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On 2025-03-14 2:19 AM, Adam H. Kerman wrote:
> I went by the library a little after 4 pm. Its parking lot was closed. The
> street in front of the library was blocked off at the intersection to the
> north, and to the south between the library and village hall. There were
> four large public works trucks used to create the blockade, plus four
> squad cars. I saw four police officers outside and one inside the library.
> 
> I had a book to return, so I walked in. The west entrance was closed amd
> the book return bins were closed. The east entrance was open.
> 
> It finally dawned on me that Israelism was being shown, the
> pro-Palestinian film made by two Jewish directors and sponsored by
> several pro-Palestinian/anti-Netanyahu groups.
> 
> Last fall, they were opposed by Jewish groups that were either
> pro-Netanyahu or didn't publicly object to Netanyahu. An 8,000 message
> email campaign opposing the showing of this movie got its screening
> cancelled at one library after it had been scheduled, and not scheduled
> at another library.
> 
> I asked both library staff and the cops but neither confirmed that
> Israelism was to be screened.
> 
> The locked book bins? I'm guessing that's fear of pipe bombs.
> 
> I'm going to look into this further. Who ate the cost for security for
> this event? Last fall, the library was slammed by the ACLU for demanding
> $3,000 for insurance and security costs to agree to re-schedule the
> film. So who ate the cost of extra security?
> 
> It is my position that, even though the film was eventually screened,
> the security burden is an unconstitutional abridgement of freedom of the
> ;ress. Also, making the library appear to be closed despite being open
> for business abridges freedom of the press too.
> 
> The First Amendment has no exception for fear of violence.
> 
> I called it in to Chicago Sun-Times and spoke to a reporter.

Good on you, Adam. I'm sure a part of your soul was screaming at the 
thought of what the film was saying against Jews and Israel and in 
favour of Hamas but you stuck to your rock-solid belief in the First 
Amendment and acted to protect the filmmakers' (and library's) right to 
show it.

-- 
Rhino