COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio Republican lawmaker is defending his controversial bill that would charge teachers and school district librarians with felonies for "pandering" so-called "obscene" material. Bridget Rueter’s kids love reading, which has inspired her mission to...
Book Bans
The PA mother who’s standing up against book bans—and the Dems standing with her
Pennsylvania ranks third in the nation for proposed book bans in academic libraries and public schools. This is a story about reading, but let’s start with some math: 644.That’s the number of book bans in Pennsylvania public school districts between July 2021 and June...
Wake school board backs LGBTQ, diverse books grants. But the vote comes after a fight.
‘Matters of life and death’ The debate at Tuesday’s school board meeting highlights the ongoing cultural wars going on across North Carolina and the nation. It led to state lawmakers adopting the “Parents’ Bill of Rights.” The law’s provisions include barring...
After fighting ‘extremist’ school boards, PA advocates network to help fight other efforts
Policies that end up culling library shelves and policing bathrooms don’t happen in a vacuum, and the concerted efforts of certain groups are no secret to longtime advocates in PAWInS. Localized social media groups on Facebook and other platforms can be a popular...
‘It’s an act of resistance:’ Groups ramp up efforts in the fight to stop book bans
WASHINGTON – They signed in for the online “Troublemaker Training’’ from places like Colorado, Michigan, New York and Tennessee. More than 70 attendees got tips on talking points they could use in the fight against book bans in their communities. “Book banning… seems...
Library debate combatants take fight to School Board, political organizing
Though the battle over Samuels Public Library is over, skirmishes in the nation’s culture wars continue to erupt in Warren County. Many involved on both sides have signaled their intention to continue fighting, shifting their focus to political organizing and public...
Red Wine & Blue Looks to Reappropriate the Term ‘Parental Rights’ and Fight Book Bans
Conservatives have been strategic in their push to ban books. The need to hide information and knowledge from students is critical in their quest for power. And with these non-stop attacks on education, it often feels like the right wing has out-strategized us. As...
‘Fight book bans’: Central York parent-planned read-a-thon will feature banned books
In addition to guest readers, nonprofit Red Wine and Blue will have their "Banned Bookmobile" parked outside the event. Red Wine and Blue, started after the 2018 midterm election, operates out of suburban swing districts in the United States and works to defeat...
Philadelphians, take a bow
Moms for Liberty — hereafter known to me as “The Mothers” — must’ve thought they picked a city that was ready for their proselytizing. But when they arrived in Philadelphia, they found themselves in what is probably their image of hell. Philadelphians, take a bow. You...
Moms For Liberty flexes its muscles — and faces pushback
“It was bold, very bold” of them to come to Philadelphia, said Kim Barbero, a Bucks County, Pennsylvania, mom and a deputy director for Red, Wine & Blue, a national group organizing progressive suburban women. “They bring chaos into our communities, and we need to...
Recent Posts
Do This: Share November 4 Elections Information
On November 4, Americans have 53,000 chances to tell extremists that we don’t want them in power. That’s how many open seats are on ballots nationwide in our upcoming local elections. But municipal elections generally have low voter turnout, especially in years like...
Do This: Help Your Friends Make Their 2025 Voting Plan
Did you know that Americans get their local news from friends, family, and neighbors more than any other source of information? That means it’s on us to make sure that the people we know are informed about upcoming local elections and have a plan in place to vote. You...
Do This: Make Your 2025 Voting Plan
Election Day – November 4 – is right around the corner, and it’s never too early to make your 2025 voting plan! Use vote.org or your state’s board of elections website to complete this step-by-step checklist: Check your voter registration status. Make sure that your...
Watch This: Why We’re Going Local in 2025
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the chaotic, 24-hour national news cycle and our emotionally charged social media feeds. Everything can feel so big; so distant; so daunting. So isn’t it comforting to know that the best way out of the chaos is to keep our focus close...
Read This: Five Reasons Why We “Go Local”
Lately, you may have seen Red Wine & Blue say, “When they go low, we go local!” What do we mean by that? Almost a decade ago, Michelle Obama made famous the phrase, “When they go low, we go high.” This was the Obama family motto for responding to cruel, hateful...