The Vose Libary in Union, Maine Violating Free Speech By Cancelling a Showing of “Vaxxed”
Maine Referendum Question 1 on the ballot next week which, if passed, will restore the religious and philosophical exemptions for those who oppose vaccinations. Maine’s Democrat controlled legislature passed Legislative Document 798 (LD798) and Janet Mills, Maine’s far-left, anti-Christian governor signed it into law. This is the same governor who refused to sign a pro-homeschool resolution that Maine’s governors have been doing for over 25 years. A group that is leading the fight to repeal LD798 is Reject Big Pharma https://www.rejectbigpharma.com/
A friend of mine asked me to create events for two showing of the documentary Vaxxed on our Camp Constitution and Maine Friends of the Constitution Facebook groups. One of the showing was held at the Appleton Library and the other was scheduled to be shown at the Vose Library in nearby Union until a library official contacted my friend, and was told the showing was cancelled. The cover of the Vaxxed DVD reads: “The Film They Don’t Want You to See.” They, of course, include the folks who run the Vose Library
The action of the Vose Library officials are not only a violation of the Maine State Constitution Article 1: Section 4 and the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution but the Library Bill of Rights:
“The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, age, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.
Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; January 29, 2019.
Inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.”
Whether you support Governor Mills, and Big Pharma’s position on the issue or support the folks who are working to repeal LD798, people should have access to all information and support the right to see a documentary on the subject. May I suggest that readers of this call, write or E-mail the Library voicing your concerns:
Vose Library
392 Common Road
PO Box 550
Union, Maine 04862
207-785-4733
librarian@voselibrary.org