The first legal challenge to a restriction on the use of Harry Potter books in public schools ended with the school district obeying a court order to return the books to the library shelves and a courageous family celebrating their victory. The case began after the school board in Cedarville, Arkansas, overruled a committee of parents and librarians that had voted unanimously to keep the Harry Potter books in school libraries without restriction. The school board voted to place the books in a separate section of its school libraries that is off-limits to students unless they have their parents’ permission. The school board took this action after a parent complained the books show "that there are 'good witches'and 'good magic'" and that they teach "parents/teachers/rules are stupid and something to be ignored."

Outraged, a fourth-grade student and her parents sued the school board to lift restrictions on the books. In late April, a federal judge ruled that the school board had violated its students' First Amendment rights by restricting the Harry Potter books because they believed the books promoted witchcraft. The judge said that "regardless of the personal distaste with which these individuals regard 'witchcraft,' it is not properly within their power and authority as members of defendant's school board to prevent the students at Cedarville from reading about it." The judge ordered the school district to lift all restrictions on the books and return them to the open shelves of its libraries.more>>

If you want to send a letter to the family that fought to get the books put back into the school library click here,more>>

For the second year in a row, a group called the Jesus Party has cut up books from the Harry Potter series because they believe the books present a positive view of witchcraft. The book-cutting was the final act of their anti-Harry Potter conference held in mid-November on the eve of the release of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." Last year’s book-cutting occurred right before "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone" was released. more>>

The YMCA triathlon in Penryn, Pennsylvania, will not have police assistance in directing traffic. The town's police voted to boycott the triathlon because Harry Potter is read to kids attending the YMCA after-school program. In a letter sent to the YMCA, the town's police captain questioned whether it was "serving the will of God" by reading Harry Potter to children. more>>

The Eastern York School district in Pennsylvania will soon decide if Harry Potter books may continue to be used. The books were challenged by parents who claim they encourage witchcraft. A school committee has recommended keeping the books. more>>

In what has become a disturbing trend, another church has burned Harry Potter books. The Christ Community Church of Alamogordo, New Mexico burned Harry Potter and other books on New Year's Eve as a quarter mile long line of protestors chanted "stop burning books." This was the third reported Harry Potter book burning or cutting since March 2001. more>>

The Arkansas Baptist State Convention passed a resolution calling on Baptists in the sate to protest the sale of Harry Potter books. The Baptists will inform booksellers that Harry Potter books are anti-Christian because they promote witchcraft.

When an anti-Harry Potter group called the "Jesus Party" held a protest meeting that included destroying a Harry Potter book, they were meet by supporters of the Harry Potter series. The two groups argued over the morality of the Potter books and whether they should be censored. The pro-Harry Potter group could not get the "Jesus Party" to give up their scissors. The books where left cut up and in the trash.
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Robert McGee of Merritt Island, Florida, is spreading the word about the “evils” of Harry Potter through his own anti- Harry video, which claims that J.K. Rowling’s book introduce kids to human sacrifice, witchcraft and even Nazism.
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What do you plan to do at camp this summer? Five fifth-grade girls from Texas stood up to adults who censor children’s books by forming the Fab Five. The Fab Five is against censorship of the Harry Potter books and is getting signatures of kids and adults who agree. Find out how the group formed and what there plans are now. more>>

The latest challenge to Harry Potter was filed by the parent of an elementary school student in Jacksonville, FL. After reviewing the parent’s complaint, a committee of teachers, librarians and parents recommended to the school superintendent that students should have full access to the books. Until the superintendent decides, students will have to get their parent’s permission to check out the books. more>>

After receiving complaints, the Oskaloosa, Kansas, library dropped a Harry Potter reading program. Although the library board decided to cancel the program, it is keeping the Harry Potter books on the shelves. more>>

Thought book burnings were a thing of the past? A church in western Pennsylvania burned videotapes, music and books they think are sinful. Several Harry Potter books, Disney videos (“Pinocchio” and “Hercules”) and CD’s by REM and Pearl Jam were burned. To find out why click the link below. more>>

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