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桃子视频Back-to-School Bookshelf: Our Reading List to Build a More Perfect Union
In our series, 桃子视频staffers share books that have helped them better understand civil liberties and civil rights, fight for our communities and our Constitution, and increase engagement in creating a more perfect union.
In our series, 桃子视频staffers share books that have helped them better understand civil liberties and civil rights, fight for our communities and our Constitution, and increase engagement in creating a more perfect union.
For nearly a century, the 桃子视频has defended the freedom to read鈥攁nd to think鈥攆or every American. As the new school year begins, we鈥檝e curated a list of books that do more than inform; they challenge us to build a more equitable future. Our selection spans social justice, history, contemporary analysis, and personal narratives, including frequently banned titles with newfound relevance.
Since 2021, thousands of book titles have been challenged or removed from school libraries, often targeting BIPOC authors, LGBTQ+ creators, and other marginalized voices. These efforts to ban books and restrict discussions鈥攅specially on race, gender, sexuality, and systemic injustice鈥攁re both unlawful and a serious threat to our right to learn.
The 桃子视频and our partners are fighting back. We鈥檙e challenging censorship in military schools, and in classrooms across the country. We鈥檙e also supporting legislative solutions like the Fight Book Bans Act, which would provide funding to school districts defending against censorship attempts and reaffirm that banning books is discriminatory and unconstitutional.
Our series, 鈥溙易邮悠礏ookshelf,鈥� lets you join our fight and pick up the texts, novels, nonfiction stories, essays and more that help us form a more perfect union 鈥� one page at a time.
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Press ReleaseAug 2026
Free Speech
Catsonacouch Creator Asks Court To Allow Her To Attend Upcoming Vance Events. Explore Press Release.CatsOnACouch Creator Asks Court to Allow Her to Attend Upcoming Vance Events
PORTLAND, Maine 鈥� Amanda McGonigle, creator of the social media accounts @CatsOnACouch, asked the court today to step in to allow her to attend future official vice-presidential events, including Vice President Vance鈥檚 upcoming speaking engagement in Brewer, Maine on Monday, for which McGonigle registered. In May of this year, McGonigle registered to attend an official vice-presidential event in Bangor, Maine but was prevented from entering the event. While in line for that event, armed Secret Service agents and other government officials called her out by name and told her she wasn鈥檛 allowed in because 鈥渨e know where you stand.鈥� McGonigle is asking a court today to ensure that she is able to attend future events, like the upcoming event in Brewer, without interference, so that she can listen to the Vice President鈥檚 remarks, express her views as an audience member, and report on the event for her millions of social media followers. 鈥淟ast time I went to Maine to hear what the Vice President had to say, I was singled out by armed guards and prohibited from attending,鈥� said Amanda McGonigle. 鈥淎ll I want is to attend these events in peace, just like all the other people in line who haven鈥檛 compared the Vice President to a sentient jar of mayonnaise online.鈥� McGonigle filed suit earlier this summer to challenge the government鈥檚 retaliation and viewpoint-based discrimination against her. McGonigle claimed that she was excluded from the Bangor event, and another event in Des Moines, because of commentary she posts on her social media accounts, which are dedicated to criticizing the Vice President. She launched her @CatsOnACouch accounts after Vice President Vance鈥檚 infamous 鈥渃hildless cat lady鈥� comment in 2024, and she says the purpose of the account is 鈥渢o have more followers than JD Vance by the time he leaves office and to troll him mercilessly every single day.鈥� 鈥淣o matter who is in power, the Constitution protects our right to publicly joke, mock, insult, and dissent,鈥� said Anahita Sotoohi staff attorney with the 桃子视频 of Maine. 鈥淭he government is on notice that our client knows her First Amendment rights and will fight in court to enforce them. Using humor and satire to criticize elected officials is a long-standing tradition and the First Amendment secures Amanda鈥檚 right to continue in that tradition. It's a testament to the power of speech and the power of laughter that Vance is attempting to silence someone over a cat-themed social media account.鈥� The 桃子视频 and the 桃子视频of Maine filed the suit on behalf of McGonigle in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine in early July. The complaint alleges that McGonigle鈥檚 First Amendment rights were violated when she was excluded from vice presidential events because of her speech and political views. 鈥淭he First Amendment protects our client鈥檚 criticism of the federal government as well as her satirical cat content,鈥� said Laura Moraff, staff attorney with the 桃子视频. 鈥淢s. McGonigle has every right to register for and attend official vice-presidential events, just like any other member of the public.鈥� You can read today鈥檚 filing here, Amanda鈥檚 declaration here, and more about the case here. -
Press ReleaseAug 2026
Free Speech
Tribunal Federal De Apelaciones Invalida Un谩nimemente La Ley De Censura De Puerto Rico Aprobada Durante La Pandemia De Covid-19. Explore Press Release.Tribunal Federal de Apelaciones invalida un谩nimemente la ley de censura de Puerto Rico aprobada durante la pandemia de COVID-19
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico 鈥� En una decisi贸n un谩nime, el Tribunal de Apelaciones del Primer Circuito de Estados Unidos anul贸 la ley de Puerto Rico de 2020 contra las llamadas "noticias falsas", al considerarla una regulaci贸n inconstitucional basada en el contenido que restringe la libertad de expresi贸n protegida. Dos periodistas impugnaron la ley, argumentando que amenazaba con coartar cualquier reportaje que pudiera perjudicar la imagen del gobierno durante una emergencia. "Como periodista independiente en Puerto Rico, mi trabajo es buscar la verdad y exigir responsabilidades a quienes ostentan el poder, especialmente cuando surge una crisis y el p煤blico necesita informaci贸n transparente y confiable", afirm贸 la periodista Sandra Rodr铆guez. 鈥淟a ley de 鈥榥oticias falsas鈥� de Puerto Rico era una amenaza constante. La decisi贸n de hoy del Tribunal de Apelaciones del Primer Circuito es una victoria no solo para m铆 o la prensa, sino para todos los ciudadanos en Puerto Rico. Este fallo garantiza que podemos seguir haciendo nuestro trabajo 鈥攊nvestigando, cuestionando e informando鈥� sin temor a ser criminalizados por buscar la verdad鈥�. 鈥淓ste caso va m谩s all谩 del ejercicio del periodismo. Esto atenta contra el significado mismo de vivir en una sociedad democr谩tica donde las personas tienen derecho a expresarse libremente sin temor a ser silenciadas por el Estado鈥�, declar贸, por su parte, el periodista Rafelli Gonz谩lez Cotto. 鈥淎gradezco al tribunal por defender la Primera Enmienda no solo para los periodistas, sino para todos los ciudadanos de Puerto Rico鈥�. La ley de Puerto Rico de 2020 tipificaba como delito dar a sabiendas una 鈥渇alsa alarma鈥� sobre cat谩strofes inminentes o transmitir a sabiendas informaci贸n falsa sobre cualquier tema cuando hacerlo resultara en un riesgo inminente para la seguridad, la salud o la propiedad. Quienes infringieran la ley se enfrentaban a penas de hasta tres a帽os de c谩rcel y una multa de hasta $5,000 d贸lares. "La funci贸n de vigilancia de la prensa nunca es m谩s importante ni est谩 m谩s en peligro que durante una emergencia", declar贸 Brian Hauss, subdirector del Proyecto de Libertad de Expresi贸n, Privacidad y Tecnolog铆a de la ACLU. "Agradecemos que el tribunal haya declarado inconstitucional esta ley de 'noticias falsas', que amenazaba con silenciar al periodismo independiente precisamente cuando la ciudadan铆a m谩s lo necesita". La demanda, presentada originalmente durante la crisis de salud por el COVID-19, fue interpuesta por la Uni贸n Americana de Libertades Civiles (ACLU) y la 桃子视频de Puerto Rico en nombre de dos periodistas, Sandra Rodr铆guez Cotto y Rafelli Gonz谩lez Cotto, quienes tem铆an que la ley se utilizara para castigarlos por su cobertura de emergencias p煤blicas, especialmente por reportajes que perjudicaran la imagen del gobierno. "Celebramos esta victoria que protege dos de nuestros derechos m谩s fundamentales: la libertad de prensa y la libertad de expresi贸n", afirm贸 Ferm铆n Arraiza Navas, director legal de la 桃子视频de Puerto Rico. "Esta ley nefasta, firmada inicialmente por el exgobernador Ricardo Rossell贸 y enmendada por una legislatura en decadencia con la aprobaci贸n de la gobernadora Wanda V谩zquez en La Fortaleza, solo ten铆a como norte criminalizar la disidencia y perseguir a la prensa en tiempos de emergencia por simplemente discrepar del discurso oficialista. No lo permitiremos". El 31 de marzo de 2023, el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito de Puerto Rico dict贸 una orden judicial permanente contra la ley, al considerar que su alcance excesivamente amplio conllevaba el riesgo de enjuiciamientos politizados y de coartar la libertad de expresi贸n protegida en asuntos de inter茅s p煤blico. Este martes, 4 de agosto, el Tribunal de Apelaciones del Primer Circuito de los Estados Unidos confirm贸 la decisi贸n, dictaminando que la ley viola la Primera Enmienda porque impone una restricci贸n basada en el contenido a la libertad de expresi贸n protegida sin justificaci贸n suficiente. El tribunal se帽al贸 que la ley carece de las limitaciones esenciales incluidas en otras leyes sobre falsas alarmas, y que podr铆a utilizarse para procesar a quienes se oponen a la postura del gobierno en debates sobre temas controvertidos como la eficacia de las mascarillas durante la pandemia de COVID-19, as铆 como en relaci贸n con chistes, s谩tira o ficci贸n. Como escribi贸 el tribunal, la ley de Puerto Rico 鈥渞epresenta una restricci贸n inadmisible de la libertad de expresi贸n, especialmente en tiempos de emergencia, cuando es imperativo que el p煤blico est茅 bien informado y que el gobierno rinda cuentas鈥�. 鈥淐on esta ley, el Gobierno de Puerto Rico puso en peligro el derecho a la libertad de expresi贸n y la libertad de prensa, protecciones que son cada vez m谩s indispensables鈥�, declar贸 Annette Mart铆nez Orabona, directora ejecutiva de la 桃子视频de Puerto Rico. 鈥淓sto tambi茅n fue un intento de desalentar la fiscalizaci贸n justa y necesaria del gobierno, precisamente durante periodos de emergencia como el que Puerto Rico vive en la actualidad, con una crisis en el servicio de agua potable. Se trata de derechos que est谩n siendo atacados desde m煤ltiples frentes y que hoy logramos proteger鈥�. Puedes leer la opini贸n aqu铆. Tambi茅n puedes leer m谩s sobre la ley aqu铆. -
Press ReleaseAug 2026
Free Speech
Federal Appeals Court Unanimously Strikes Down Puerto Rico鈥檚 Covid-era Censorship Law. Explore Press Release.Federal Appeals Court Unanimously Strikes Down Puerto Rico鈥檚 COVID-Era Censorship Law
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico 鈥� In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit struck down Puerto Rico鈥檚 2020 鈥渇ake news鈥� law, holding that the law is an unconstitutional content-based regulation of protected speech. Two journalists challenged the law, saying it threatened to chill any reporting during an emergency that may reflect poorly on the government. 鈥淎s an independent journalist in Puerto Rico, my job is to seek the truth and hold those in power accountable鈥攅specially when crisis hits and the public needs transparent, reliable information most,鈥� said journalist Sandra Rodriguez. 鈥淧uerto Rico鈥檚 'fake news' law hung over our heads like a constant threat. Today鈥檚 decision by the First Circuit Court of Appeals is a victory not just for me or the press, but for every citizen in Puerto Rico. This ruling ensures that we can continue doing our jobs鈥攊nvestigating, questioning, and reporting鈥攚ithout fear of being criminalized for seeking the truth.鈥� 鈥淭his case goes beyond the practice of journalism. It strikes at the very meaning of living in a democratic society where people have the right to express themselves freely without fear of being silenced by the state,鈥� said journalist Rafelli Gonz谩lez Cotto. "I am grateful to the court for defending the First Amendment not only for journalists, but for all citizens of Puerto Rico.鈥� The 2020 Puerto Rico law made it a crime to knowingly raise a 鈥渇alse alarm鈥� about impending catastrophes or knowingly convey false information on any topic when doing so results in an imminent risk to safety, health, property; those found in violation of the law faced up to three years in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. 鈥淭he watchdog function of the press is never more important, or more in danger, than during an emergency,鈥� said Brian Hauss, deputy director of the ACLU鈥檚 Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project. 鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful that the court struck down this unconstitutional 鈥榝ake news鈥� law, which threatened to muzzle independent journalism precisely when the public needs it most.鈥� Originally filed during the COVID-19 public health crisis, the 桃子视频 and the 桃子视频of Puerto Rico filed the lawsuit on behalf of two journalists, Sandra Rodr铆guez Cotto and Rafelli Gonz谩lez Cotto, who feared that the laws would be used to punish them for their reporting on public emergencies, especially reporting that reflects negatively on the government. 鈥淲e celebrate this victory that protects two of our most fundamental rights: freedom of the press and freedom of expression,鈥� said Ferm铆n Arraiza-Navas, legal director of the 桃子视频of Puerto Rico. 鈥淭his dangerous law, signed first by former Governor Ricardo Rossell贸 and amended by a decadent legislature with the approval of Governor Wanda V谩zquez in La Fortaleza, had only one objective: to criminalize dissent and persecute the press in times of emergency simply for disagreeing with the official narrative. We will not allow it.鈥� On March 31, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico permanently enjoined the law, observing that the statute鈥檚 exceedingly broad sweep risked politicized prosecutions and chilling protected speech on matters of public concern. On August 4, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed, holding that the law violates the First Amendment because it imposes a content-based restriction on protected speech without adequate justification. The court noted that the law lacks essential limitations included in other false alarm statutes, and that it could be used to prosecute people who oppose the government鈥檚 views in debates about contentious issues such as the efficacy of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as jokes, satire, or fiction. As the court wrote, Puerto Rico鈥檚 law 鈥渞epresents an impermissible restriction of speech, particularly during times of emergency when it is most imperative that the public be well-informed and the government held to account.鈥� "With this law, the Government of Puerto Rico jeopardized the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the press, protections that are increasingly indispensable,鈥� said Annette Mart铆nez-Orabona, Executive Director of the 桃子视频of Puerto Rico. "This was also an attempt to discourage fair and necessary government oversight, precisely during emergencies like the one Puerto Rico is currently facing amid a drinking water service crisis. These rights are under attack on multiple fronts, and today we succeeded in protecting them." You can read the opinion here. You can read more about the law here.
