The Madison Public Library in Huntsville, Alabama, has had a change of heart and will now welcome actor-author Kirk Cameron, his publisher, Brave Books, and special guest women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines on Saturday, August 5, for a nationwide “See You at the Library” event.
According to the Brave Books website, the event is an opportunity to “to pray, sing, and read BRAVE Books” at libraries across the country.
As American Wire News reported, just two days before the group was scheduled to appear, the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library System issued a press release canceling the event, citing logistics and safety concerns.
‘Unconstitutional! Alabama library suddenly cancels Saturday’s Kirk Cameron, Riley Gaines book eventhttps://t.co/B0lhOT8MFS
— American Wire News (@americanwire_) August 4, 2023
“The Moms for Liberty organization had planned to feature Brave Books in a meeting room at Madison Public Library. Due to the event’s anticipated attendance increasing beyond the Library’s capacity, the Library will be unable to host the event,” the release read. “… After discussing the logistics of the event with both the Library and the event organizer, the Madison City Police Department and the Madison City Fire Marshal have recommended that the event be held at an alternate location.”
First Liberty Institute, the law firm representing both Cameron and Brave Books, immediately pushed back, calling the abrupt cancelation a clear case of “unconstitutional religious discrimination.”
“Whether over concerns of security or capacity, you have censored our client,” the firm told the library in a cautionary letter, adding that the library had until Friday at noon to reverse its decision and allow the “See You at the Library” event to proceed as planned.
“Should you refuse,” the letter warned, “we are prepared to vindicate this violation of our client’s civil rights in court.”
And, just like that, the event was back on.
EXCLUSIVE: Kirk Cameron gears up for nationwide ‘See You at the Library’ day, goes after the ALA, and is confident ‘good will triumph over evil’https://t.co/5uaHjlb24m
— Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) August 4, 2023
“The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library has agreed with event coordinators, Moms for Liberty, to accommodate their planned meeting on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at the Madison Library with a limit of 225 attendees,” the library said in a statement. “In the interest of public safety, Madison Police and the Madison Fire Marshal will be on hand to manage any logistical needs.”
“I’m happy to announce that Madison Public Library has reversed course and are now rightfully inviting us to come host the story hour for the community in Huntsville,” Brave Books CEO Trent Talbot told Fox News Digital on Friday afternoon. “We must stand our ground and fight for our public institutions. The foe we fail to meet at the gate in our own generation is the foe we let into the city for the next.”
“We are thrilled that Brave Books, Kirk and Riley will be able to host the book reading tomorrow as was previously scheduled,” said Ryan Gardner, counsel for First Liberty, in a statement to the outlet. “Our nation’s libraries are an important part of their communities and should be welcoming to messages of hope and encouragement like that of Kirk and Riley.”
“We are grateful to the Huntsville-Madison County (AL) Library for working with us to ensure that the ‘See You at the Library’ event will take place,” he added.
“We’ve seen this before. The library has come up with an excuse to prevent us from sharing wholesome messages to children and their families because they don’t want to be associated with it,” said Gaines in a statement to Fox News Digital. “The people have shown they want to attend this event and to support the mission of Brave Books. It’s situations like this that embolden activists and ANTIFA.”
“I’m happy to say the event now a go again, and we will continue forward with full force!” she stated. “It’s times like this where we must stand our ground as conservatives but more importantly as Christians.”
On X, Cameron praised the prayers of the Alabama community.
“I believe this reconciliation between us and the Madison Public Library is a testimony to the strength and power of moms and dads gathering in prayer for the blessing of their community,” he said. “Both sides rose to a higher ethic than we often see in today’s polarized society.”
“By seeking the common good and love for our neighbor,” Cameron continued, “we found a solution that we think will make tomorrow’s event in Madison, Alabama a family friendly, faith-filled, firmly patriotic event for all to enjoy. See you at the library!”
I believe this reconciliation between us and the Madison Public Library is a testimony to the strength and power of moms and dads gathering in prayer for the blessing of their community. Both sides rose to a higher ethic than we often see in today’s polarized society. By seeking… https://t.co/7oIvlFD1Ki
— Kirk Cameron (@KirkCameron) August 4, 2023
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Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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