A group of twelve students from Department of Defence Education Activity (DoDEA) schools are taking legal action against US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of violating their First Amendment rights through widespread book bans .
The students, who attend Pentagon-operated schools in the US, Italy, and Japan, are being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which filed a lawsuit on their behalf in a Virginia federal court, rdianeported The Guar
The case centres on the Pentagon’s removal of books and curriculum material dealing with race, gender identity, and LGBTQ+ issues. The bans were introduced under Hegseth’s leadership and align with Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in federal institutions.
According to the ACLU, the bans are not only unconstitutional but harmful. They prevent students from accessing important information about biology, health, and abuse. The complaint also highlights the cancellation of Black and Women’s History Month programmes and censorship of student yearbooks that mention gender identity.
The ACLU argues that book bans in these schools go beyond political disagreement. "This is not how public schools are supposed to work – students have a right to learn," said Emerson Sykes, ACLU’s lead counsel.
Titles removed include I know why the caged bird sings, A queer history of the United States, and Julian is a Mermaid. At the same time, controversial titles like Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf were left untouched. The ban also extended to the US Naval Academy, where nearly 400 books were removed.
Authors such as Geraldine Brooks and Jennifer Finney Boylan have criticised the bans. Boylan, a transgender writer, said the censorship reflects deeper intolerance. "Trump may hate dogs, but dogs are great judges of character," she wrote.
The students, who attend Pentagon-operated schools in the US, Italy, and Japan, are being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which filed a lawsuit on their behalf in a Virginia federal court, rdianeported The Guar
The case centres on the Pentagon’s removal of books and curriculum material dealing with race, gender identity, and LGBTQ+ issues. The bans were introduced under Hegseth’s leadership and align with Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in federal institutions.
According to the ACLU, the bans are not only unconstitutional but harmful. They prevent students from accessing important information about biology, health, and abuse. The complaint also highlights the cancellation of Black and Women’s History Month programmes and censorship of student yearbooks that mention gender identity.
The ACLU argues that book bans in these schools go beyond political disagreement. "This is not how public schools are supposed to work – students have a right to learn," said Emerson Sykes, ACLU’s lead counsel.
Titles removed include I know why the caged bird sings, A queer history of the United States, and Julian is a Mermaid. At the same time, controversial titles like Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf were left untouched. The ban also extended to the US Naval Academy, where nearly 400 books were removed.
Authors such as Geraldine Brooks and Jennifer Finney Boylan have criticised the bans. Boylan, a transgender writer, said the censorship reflects deeper intolerance. "Trump may hate dogs, but dogs are great judges of character," she wrote.
You may also like
Karnataka student allegedly forced to remove sacred thread before CET exam; two home guards suspended
David Beckham devastated as family 'rift' could ruin extravagant 50th birthday celebrations
Curly Hair Care in Summer: 4 Must-Follow Tips for Healthy, Frizz-Free Curls
Uttarakhand CM Dhami flags off 20 new fire tenders, announces expansion of fire services across state
NIT Patna Recruitment 2025: Vacancy in NIT Patna, salary 1.59 lakh per month, get job without exam..
