Detroit Evening Report: Dearborn book bans spark protest and support

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exterior of an administrative office building with a sign that reads, "Dearborn Schools Administrative Service Center."

Dearborn Schools Administrative Service Center.

Community members on both sides of a book banning debate protested in Dearborn on Sunday.

The Detroit News reports an unconfirmed number of people attended the “Books Unite Us – Censorship Divides Us” rally outside the Henry Ford Centennial Library to protest the banning of books in the city’s school libraries.

An opposing gathering called “Rally to Protect Our Children” was held in support of removing books they say are sexually explicit.

Seven books have been taken out of circulation in Dearborn Public School libraries. The district has removed student access to an online catalog of books because it could not control access to the seven books in that catalog.

School officials say the books are under review by a committee of parents, teachers, administrators and media specialists.

Update: 9/27/22 3:27 p.m. ET — Story updated to reflect that the number of attendees for each rally has not been confirmed. WDET has reached out to Dearborn police for any information it has about how many people attended each rally.

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  • Awards ceremony honoring Motown Records legends faces uncertain future

Photo Credit: David Leins, WDET

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Author

  • Sascha Raiyn
    Sascha Raiyn is Education Reporter at 101.9 WDET. She is a native Detroiter who grew up listening to news and music programming on Detroit Public Radio.