The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit today issued an opinion blocking the Texas book banning bill, HB 900 — a controversial law that sought to completely ban or restrict materials in public school libraries by creating a vague and undefined rating system.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2024
CONTACT: Emily Witt (she/hers), [email protected]
AUSTIN, Texas – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit today issued an opinion upholding a September 2023 injunction that struck down HB 900 — a controversial law that sought to completely ban or restrict materials in public school libraries by creating a vague and undefined rating system.
The lawsuit against HB 900 came from publishers and booksellers who would’ve been tasked with ranking the materials and tracking their sales.
U.S. District Judge Alan Albright initially blocked HB 900 from implementation due to unconstitutionality on September 18, 2023. In their initial response, the 5th Circuit issued an administrative stay on the ruling, allowing the law to go into effect until the release of today’s opinion that blocks HB 900 from implementation.
Texas Freedom Network Organizing Director Seneca Savoie (he/him) issued the following response:
“The Courts should exist to protect and defend the rights of everyone in our communities, including our children. We applaud the 5th Circuit for upholding Judge Albright’s initial ruling, rather than aiding our state’s leaders in their endless culture wars and attacks on LGBTQIA+ Texans and our basic freedoms.
“Our kids deserve the freedom to read, and their local schools and libraries are no place for censorious adults to push their religious and political agendas. While we were deeply disheartened that the 5th Circuit previously allowed this unconstitutional law to go into effect knowing that it violates the rights of Texas kids and their families, justice has finally been served.”
