Thread by @PENamerica

🧵@BKLYNLibrary is teaming up with PEN America to offer a new series of virtual sessions—the #FreedomToRead Advocacy Institute—teaching teenagers how to defend books in their schools, libraries and communities. nbcconnecticut.com/news/national-…

Among the panelists will be activists like @Jack_Petocz, an 18-year-old Florida student and mobilization coordinator for @genzforchange, who tells NBC his message to attendees is: "In one of the darkest blips of Florida, I made a difference. They can as well." (2/x)

Former Oklahoma high school teacher @MsBoismier_ELA, "helped to develop the session on opposing what are frequently orchestrated campaigns to remove books. Boismier, who now works at @BKLYNlibrary, wants to show students how to use school policies to their advantage." (3/x)

“Parents... are entitled to a say over their kids’ education,” said PEN America's @SuzanneNossel. “But... parents are (now being) mobilized in an orchestrated campaign... to dictate that certain books be pulled off shelves even before they’ve been read or reviewed." (4/x)

PEN America's @jonfreadom said the first #FreedomToRead Advocacy Institute was a pilot program with the potential to develop additional ones: “I think that the fight for public education is becoming a fight that many young people are eager and hungry to engage in," he said. (5/5)

As PEN America and @BKLYNlibrary ready the launch of the #FreedomToRead Advocacy Institute, @lisatolin speaks to former Oklahoma teacher @MsBoismier_ELA about her new role: teaching students how to make their voices heard in the fight against censorship. pen.org/oklahoma-teach…