Grassroots Power: Fighting Censorship in Red States

Across the country, battles over the right to read are being waged at school boards, in libraries, and in legislatures. Nowhere are these battles more intense than in states dominated by single-party control—places where political power can amend laws quickly, leaving little room for resistance. Yet even in these red states, courageous grassroots groups are showing that people power can still move the needle.

The recent wave of censorship has made one thing clear: unless explicit laws are in place to protect students' rights to access diverse and inclusive materials, those rights are at risk. However, even in the face of overwhelming legislative odds, local action is proving to be a critical tool for change.

The Role of Grassroots Activism

When traditional avenues of representation are closed, communities are turning to the oldest, most powerful tool in democracy: grassroots action. From delivering public comments and organizing protests to hosting educational events, door-to-door outreach, and sending out mailers, local advocates are refusing to be silenced.

Efforts like earned media—getting press attention without the cost of advertising—have proven especially effective. Whether it's through letters to the editor, opinion pieces, or press releases, getting the word out can galvanize local support and pressure decision-makers. Even after an event, sending a press release to recap actions taken, share images, and explain the purpose amplifies the reach and impact of local activism.

Moreover, creative "good trouble," as civil rights leaders called it, is inspiring regular action both online and offline. From walkouts to social media campaigns, today's advocates are building movements that demand attention. The model of the 1950s bus boycotts and modern online movements like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge show how sustained, creative action can force those in power to listen.

Fighting Censorship in the Heart of Red America

Groups in some of the nation's reddest states are showing remarkable resilience and ingenuity. They are proof that while political landscapes may be challenging, community determination can never be legislated away.

South Carolina: DAYLO (Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization)

In South Carolina, DAYLO is empowering youth to become advocates for the freedom to read. By organizing events, leading discussions, and building coalitions, DAYLO is helping young people find their voice against censorship efforts targeting diverse literature. Their work highlights how students themselves can become the most powerful advocates for their rights, making it clear that the fight for intellectual freedom is not just for adults but for the next generation.

Texas: Texas Freedom to Read Project

In Texas, where recent laws have drastically curtailed access to inclusive educational materials, the Texas Freedom to Read Project is leading the fight. Through grassroots organizing, public education efforts, and collaboration with legal advocates, they are pushing back against censorship and working to inform communities about their rights. Their "good trouble" includes town halls, community events, direct action at school board meetings, and coordinated media campaigns, inspiring others across the country to take similar steps.

Alabama: Community Rallies for Fairhope Library

In Fairhope, Alabama, community members mobilized quickly and effectively to defend their local library from political overreach. After city officials attempted to exert control over the Fairhope Public Library’s collection policies, residents raised over $46,000 in a matter of days to support the library's independence. This remarkable show of support underscores the power of local grassroots action in red states, proving that even without legislative backing, communities can stand strong for intellectual freedom and access to information.

Florida: Florida Freedom to Read Project

Florida has seen some of the most aggressive censorship legislation in the country, but local advocates are meeting these challenges with determined grassroots resistance. The Florida Freedom to Read Project helps families, educators, and communities navigate the effects of new, vaguely worded laws that threaten access to diverse books and educational materials. Through public education campaigns, strategic press outreach, and local organizing, the group works to promote transparency and raise awareness about how these laws are impacting students across the state. By highlighting the consequences of censorship and amplifying community voices, they continue to advocate for every student's right to read.

The Florida Freedom to Read Project is also encouraging “necessary trouble” — like demanding transparency about the impacts of restrictive policies, ensuring that public records reflect exactly what is being removed, and raising awareness about discriminatory impacts, all without harming vulnerable groups.

Necessary Trouble: The Strategy of Malicious Compliance

In states where oppressive laws have been passed, some groups are engaging in "malicious compliance" — following the letter of the law to highlight its absurdity without endangering vulnerable communities. For example, laws demanding "transparency" in school libraries are being used to show just how many valuable resources are being stripped away from students. By insisting on honest, public reporting of these consequences, advocates are forcing the public and the press to confront the real effects of censorship.

While these tactics can be effective in highlighting the hypocrisy of censorship laws, it's essential to ensure that our actions do not compromise our own values. Our goal is to protect access to books, not to remove them in retaliation. For example, while some might suggest objecting to the Bible under vague book challenge criteria to make a point, we refrain from doing so because it contradicts the principle of intellectual freedom. Just as we oppose the removal of books with LGBTQ+ characters or discussions of race, we must also defend books like the Bible from unjustified censorship. The strength of our movement lies in consistently standing up for everyone's right to read, even when it tests our strategy or patience.

Advocates are warned to tread carefully: the goal of malicious compliance is not to worsen conditions for marginalized communities but to reveal the true nature and consequences of discriminatory laws. In many cases, transparency requirements are being turned against the censors themselves, exposing how these laws are weaponized to curtail intellectual freedom.

Moving the Needle with Hope

The challenges are real. In many red states, censorship laws were passed swiftly, without representative debate. Yet grassroots action—earnest, creative, persistent—has proven capable of slowing, even reversing, these efforts. People power, when harnessed effectively, remains a potent force.

When local communities stand up, they not only defend access to information; they also set powerful examples for the rest of the country. Every protest, every article, every educational event chips away at the walls built by those who would restrict access to ideas. Inspiring action takes resources, education, and courage, but it is possible.

As history has shown time and again, change rarely comes from those in power willingly giving up control. It comes when ordinary people, facing extraordinary circumstances, stand up together and demand it.

The Freedom to Read Project is proud to stand with these courageous groups in South Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Florida, and across the country. Together, we are showing that no matter how strong censorship efforts may seem, the human drive for knowledge, understanding, and freedom is stronger still.