Hoboken Local

As residents may have seen, unfortunately the @hobokenlibrary has been the target of hateful social media accounts purposefully spreading false information about a #Pride month event scheduled to take place this Saturday. These social media accounts have resulted in hundreds of hateful messages targeted at the Hoboken Library, and other participants of the event that are disgusting expressions of homophobia, racism, and intolerance. Let me be abundantly clear: the City of Hoboken is a fair and welcoming community, and these expressions of hate have absolutely no place here. The event on Saturday, a reading of books that have been unfortunately banned in states and cities all across the country, demonstrates our commitment to support and celebrate our LGBTQIA+ populations, among others. Let me also be clear: these book bans are an unfortunate attempt to marginalize, degrade, and silence those like our valued LGBTQIA+ communities, and sweep under the rug critical topics including race and racism that are discussed in many of these books. The number of books that have been banned or challenged across the United States should be alarming to all of us. In fact, the American Library Association has documented that there have been well over 1,000 books banned in various locations in 2022, nearly doubling from 2021. The majority of these challenges were targeted at books written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as black people, indigenous people, and people of color, and that has been no accident. When we start banning books, when we infringe upon the civil rights of Americans, such as freedom of speech and expression, and when we suppress free thought, we undermine the very foundations of our society. I encourage Hoboken parents and children to have these important discussions on what books they feel are appropriate for their families and education. Parents, with the support of their children, should be making these decisions, just like my wife and I have done with our two children. These decisions should not be made for them by radical book bans and intolerant legislators. I invite you to stand alongside me, fellow readers, and advocates like @HSunbeam on Saturday. I am honored to be a part of the read-a-thon this Saturday, where I will personally be reading "A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo,” and other residents and dignitaries will be reading additional age-appropriate books. I know that the vast majority of our community will stand against these oppressive comments, and in support of the excellent work of the Hoboken Public Library. I know in Hoboken, love will always overcome hate, and I am fully confident this event on Saturday will be no different.