Advocacy

The governor’s letter followed Amazon’s February decision to cancel plans to establish one of its two new corporate headquarters in Queens, New York.

Since the publication of his novella “Stone Dreams,” author Akram Aylisli has been subjected to a harassment campaign and he remains under de facto house arrest in Azerbaijan.

Proceeds from the annual event, which auctions off art donated by children’s book illustrators, will benefit the American Booksellers for Free Expression and Every Child a Reader.

The resource offers an overview of common arguments made by would-be censors and provides techniques for advocating for LGBTQ stories in local schools and communities.

“On Author Akram Aylisli and Book Burning in Azerbaijan” features an interview with Katherine Young, translator of the banned book Farewell, Aylis: A Non-Traditional Novel in Three Works by Akram Aylisli.

The episode features audio from the American Booksellers Association’s Winter Institute education session “Bookstores Launch the Open Discussion Project.” 

“There is plenty of debate in this country. But all too often, on social media at least, it is over what speech is appropriate and not over what is actually being said,” writes ABFE Director David Grogan.

The incentives package offered by New York City and State to Amazon had been met with significant community resistance, including from independent businesses, unions, and residents. 

Mayhem, an advocate for sex workers’ rights and harm reduction, joined ABFE to talk about how well-intentioned laws can impact free speech rights.

Owners Rebecca Fitting and Jessica Stockton Bagnulo asked the City Council to consider taking actions in support of the city’s small businesses as it addresses paid vacation legislation.

ABA’s letter expresses disappointment that the city’s independent retailers have been excluded from an upcoming Finance Committee hearing on New York’s deal with Amazon.