Missouri Library Blocks Access to Websites about Wicca, Native American Religion

Thursday, January 05, 2012
The city of Salem, Missouri, is being sued by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) for blocking access at its library to websites about minority religions.
 
Using the Netsweeper filtering program, library officials had classified information pertaining to the Wicca Church, Native American spirituality and astrology as “occult” or “criminal.” Those wishing to look at such websites were subject to being reported to local authorities. Librarian Glenda Wofford grudgingly allowed patron Anaka Hunter to view one page about prominent Native American women,
 
“It’s unbelievable that I should have to justify why I want to access completely harmless websites on the Internet simply because they discuss a minority viewpoint,” Hunter, the patron represented by the ACLU, said in a prepared statement. “It’s wrong and demeaning to deny access to this kind of information.”
 
-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky
 
Anaka Hunter v. City of Salem, Missouri (U.S. District Court, Eastern Missouri) (pdf)

10 Most Challenged Books at Schools and Libraries (by David Wallechinsky, AllGov) 

Comments

Lynda 11 years ago
Its sad that the library uses a filter to keep out learning, but what about the porn and pedophilia materials. Bet they still have those on there. Comparative religious studies gives the people a chance to learn beyond the "Church" box, and let people decide for themselves if they wish to read anything other than Southern Baptist. THE ACLU should clean this library out of its bigots.
Anonymous 12 years ago
i don't get this. libraries don't make law. so why should anyone care if they report you to the authorities for looking at a website? unless the state has made it illegal to look at those websites--the library is just wasting it's time, right?
Matt Leary Dover, PA 12 years ago
this is most definitely censorship and a grievous violation of the constitution! you can't block information at a public library! what is this? 1984!?!?! the u.s. is not a police state, but lately the parallels that can be drawn are multiplying. maybe people in the u.s. government are taking a page out of china's book. that's who blocks access to internet sites. except, this is obviously radical christians abusing their power to discourage what they consider to be inappropriate. this is outrageous and should not be happening in the united states of america!
Caitlin Sporleder 12 years ago
what about the kids that are doing research papers on there native american history..i agree with mike dale. its horrible what our world is coming to.
A Lunar Eclipse 12 years ago
this is censorship, and who made this decision? go aclu!
BlueSky90 12 years ago
why block a page on prominent native american women? it is not necessarily expressing a religious viewpoint. this is censorship, plain and simple. what happens when a local youngster wants to use the library's resources for research on a non-spiritual topic regarding these religions?
Mike Dale 12 years ago
just a little more and we will have the "burning times" again, discriminating against looking up references to your choice of religion is just the start.
Amber 12 years ago
it isn't within the library or librarians rights to decide that it is not accessible. if they are going to block that information, then i want to see websites about christianity, buddhism, muslims, and every other religion blocked. not to mention, what if a student without internet access needed information for homework, and now they can't access this information? this is unconstitutional, our government guarantees us freedom of religion, and separation of church and state, so what right do they have to do this?
Kevin 12 years ago
this is an outrage & is very against the constitution....ms. hunter's civil rights were clearly violated in that she was not accorded the same rights to practice or view her religion without fear of persecution!!!

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