Judge Blocks Arkansas Law Criminalizing Librarians for 'Harmful' Books

A federal judge in Arkansas has temporarily blocked a law that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing "harmful" materials to minors. The law, signed by the state's Republican governor, was set to take effect on August 1. The judge issued a preliminary injunction against the law, stating that fear of prosecution could lead to self-censorship by libraries and booksellers. The ACLU of Arkansas, which represents some of the plaintiffs, applauded the ruling, emphasizing the importance of protecting free speech rights. This lawsuit is part of a broader trend in conservative states seeking to restrict access to books, with the number of attempts to ban or restrict books reaching a 20-year high last year.