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In a major win for librarians and advocates of free expression, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed the Freedom to Read Act into law on December 9. This landmark legislation protects libraries, educators, and readers from the rising wave of book bans and censorship while offering vital safeguards for librarians.

The signing ceremony at Princeton Public Library was a moment of triumph for Martha Hickson, a librarian who became the target of book banners in 2021. Hickson, who fought to defend five award-winning LGBTQ+ books from removal, endured hateful attacks, harassment, and even vandalism. Yet, her resilience helped pave the way for change.

Governor Murphy praised Hickson for her unwavering courage, saying, “Martha faced a backlash that no individual should ever experience… This legislation will continue her work on behalf of New Jersey’s children.”

The Freedom to Read Act ensures:

• Schools and public libraries cannot remove books based on viewpoint discrimination.
• Clear policies must be established for challenging library materials.
• Librarians and educators are protected from civil and criminal liability for doing their jobs lawfully.

Hickson’s journey began in 2021 when a small group of parents targeted her at a school board meeting, calling her a “pedophile” and “groomer” for defending books with LGBTQ+ themes. Though the school ultimately retained all five titles, the experience led to online harassment, vulgar emails, and threats.

Rather than retreat, Hickson continued to speak out. Her efforts caught the attention of New Jersey state senator Andrew Zwicker, who drafted the legislation after a conversation with her. Inspired by Illinois’ anti-censorship law, the Freedom to Read Act gained swift bipartisan support, passing with 23 co-sponsors.

Governor Murphy emphasized the broader significance of the law: “Books are the key to fostering a culture of learning… We encourage every parent to engage in good faith conversations, but there is no place for hate or threats in our libraries and classrooms.”

As the battle over book banning intensifies nationwide, the passage of this law gives freedom-to-read advocates a much-needed boost. EveryLibrary, a key supporter of the legislation, called it a “model for other states” seeking to defend against censorship and harassment.

For Hickson, the law represents both personal and professional vindication. “The Freedom to Read Act was the best gift I could have received this holiday season,” she told Publishers Weekly. “It keeps books in readers’ hands and ensures that other New Jersey librarians won’t face what I did.”

As the year comes to a close, New Jersey’s bold action stands as a beacon of hope for librarians, readers, and free speech advocates across the country.

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