A sharp increase in book bans.

It's Banned Books Week. Since 1982, we have dedicated one week to both celebrating the freedom to read and underscoring the importance of fighting censorship.

Banned Books Week is particularly poignant this year because we have seen a sharp increase in book bans in schools and libraries.

According to the American Library Association, 2022 saw the highest number of book ban requests in the more than 20 years they have been compiling this data.

These efforts are being led by a small but loud group of people using hyperbolic and misleading rhetoric to ban books about primarily LGBTQ+ people and people of color. What's most worrying is that many Republicans are in support of these undemocratic book bans.

To deny students access to books violates their First Amendment rights.

The good news is that the majority of Americans, including 52 percent of Republicans, do not support book bans.

We must come together to elect leaders - from school boards to the president and everything in between - who will protect First Amendment rights.

This Banned Books Week, and every week, I will keep up the fight against censorship in our schools and libraries.

Thank you for standing with me,

Suzanne