[Libs-Or] Fwd: [alacro-l] ALA Statement on Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act

[Lorene Forman]

Thank you.  It's good to know the ALA is speaking out about this.

Lorene Forman
Jefferson County Library Youth Services Specialist
541-475-3351, ext 2

<http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/willrogers386200.html>“Comics
are a gateway drug to literacy.”  Art Spiegelman


On Wed, Apr 1, 2015 at 7:05 AM, Suzanne Sager <bvss at pdx.edu> wrote:

> FYI,
>
> Suzanne L. Sager
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Michael Dowling <mdowling at ala.org>
> Date: Wed, Apr 1, 2015 at 6:54 AM
> Subject: [alacro-l] ALA Statement on Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration
> Act
> To: "ALACro-l at lists.ala.org" <ALACro-l at lists.ala.org>
>
>
> ALA President Courtney Young releases statement regarding Indiana’s new
> Religious Freedom Restoration Act
>
>
>
> Tue, 03/31/2015
>
>
>
> CHICAGO —  Indiana Governor Mike Pence recently signed into law the
> Religious Freedom Restoration Act (Section 1.IC34-13.9 of the Indiana Code)
> as passed by the Indiana General Assembly. The law is part of a disturbing
> trend of  “RFRA’s” that many states are passing to guarantee that people
> and businesses have the right to exercise their constitutional freedom of
> religion in regard to the services they offer to the public. Unlike many
> other states, Indiana does not have a non-discrimination law that protects
> GLBTQ persons and provides an opportunity to legalize intolerance.
>
>
>
> Following Governor Pence’s request that the General Assembly try to fix
> the law amidst local and national outcry, American Library Association
> (ALA) President Courtney Young released the following statement:
>
>
>
> “The Religious Freedom Restoration Act contradicts the fundamental values
> of the ALA and libraries. The ALA deplores and rejects any law that
> violates the civil liberties of any person.  Our association is built
> around the ALA Code of Ethics and the Library Bill of Rights that reflect
> this deeply held value.  Access to all applies to libraries as well as
> restaurants, businesses, and associations like ours.
>
>
>
> “We reaffirm that is it is the responsibility of library staff everywhere,
> regardless of the legal ability to refuse service, to offer equal and
> unfettered access to all users in keeping with the library Bill of Rights
> and principles of intellectual freedom.
>
>
>
> “The Indiana RFRA has understandably triggered deep concern in the ALA
> community, which is currently scheduled for its 2021 Midwinter Meeting in
> Indianapolis.  Although the law has been denounced by the Mayor of
> Indianapolis, the Chamber of Commerce, and many businesses, the ALA and key
> Indiana members continue to monitor the legislative situation.
>
>
>
> “ALA’s Task Force on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is calling for input
> from the membership—how can we best engage our host communities when ALA
> holds its conference in the midst of a local controversy that touches us
> all?
>
>
>
> “The ALA and its members will continue efforts to work towards developing
> a long-term strategy to encounter the growing trend of RFRA’s, which
> threaten to undermine civil rights and the fundamental principles upon
> which libraries are founded.”
>
>
>
> The American Library Association (ALA), the voice of America’s libraries,
> is the oldest, largest, and most influential library association in the
> world. Its approximately 56,000 members are primarily librarians but also
> trustees, publishers, and other library supporters. The Association
> represents all types of libraries; its mission is to promote the
> highest-quality library and information services and public access to
> information.
>
>
>
>
>
> Contact:
>
> Macey Morales
>
> Manager Media Relations
>
> PIO
>
> mmorales at ala.org
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Suzanne L. Sager
> Oregon ALA Representative
> Portland State University Library
> PO Box 1151
> Portland, OR  97207-1151
>
> Phone: 503-725-8169
> Fax: 503-725-5799
>
> email: sagers at pdx.edu
>
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