Less than two days before their scheduled appearance at Madison Public Library in Huntsville, Alabama, on Saturday, August 5th, actor/writer Kirk Cameron and his publisher Brave Books, as well as Riley Gaines, a women’s sports advocate, were informed by the library that they would not be welcome due to concerns about logistics and safety.
The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library System issued a press statement on Wednesday announcing that they would no longer be hosting this book reading. Brave Books announced that it would challenge the conclusion.
In a press statement, the library system said that “Moms for Liberty planned to display Brave Books in a Madison Public Library Meeting Room [this Saturday]. “The Library is unable to host this event because of the expected increase in attendance.
The press release stated that “At the beginning, organizers told library officials there would be 20 attendees. The Library found out on Tuesday the organizers expect to have over 300 attendees. This number is far greater than any meeting room in the Huntsville Madison County Library System.
In the press release, it was stated that the Library had “conducted a study to determine the best way to make this event feasible logistically by consulting the Madison City Police Department and the Madison City Fire Marshal.”
After discussing the logistics with the Library, the Madison City Fire Marshal and Madison City Police Department recommended a different location for the event.
In the release, it was also stated that the City of Madison had “the same regulations for any outside event regardless of who hosts them.” “The initial event was designed to fit in the Madison Library but the number of attendees quickly increased.”
The statement went on to say, “The Moms for Liberty Group did not obtain an event permit in advance and City resources couldn’t support an event of this size at such short notice.”
Moms for Liberty is one of the groups supporting the event and had already reserved rooms for Saturday.
In the statement, it was also said that “Alternative accommodations have been recommended to ensure an event well attended and safe.”
The library system said that it is “open to the public and welcomes all individuals and groups who wish to utilize our facilities, in accordance with the posted policies and guidelines.” “Huntsville-Madison County Public Library and the City of Madison place the utmost importance on the safety of Library employees and users.”
We reached out to Huntsville Madison County Public Library System for more information.
First Liberty Institute (the firm representing Kirk Cameron and Brave Books Publisher) wrote to the Director of the Library System in response to a notice of cancellation that was sent by the library system.
In a letter shared with us on Thursday afternoon, the law firm noted, “We write to inform you that, should you persist in the cancellation of this event, you will have engaged in unlawful and unconstitutional religious viewpoint and content discrimination in violation of the Alabama Constitution and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”
The letter goes on, “We, therefore, request that you respond by noon Friday, August 4, 2023, confirming Brave Books and Mr. Cameron may utilize the Madison Public Library to host the ‘See You at the Library’ event on Saturday, August 5, 2023.”
In the letter, it was also stated that “Should you refuse, we would be ready to litigate in court any violation of civil rights by our client.”
Kirk Cameron and Brave Books will continue their events on Saturday.
Cameron announced on Twitter that he will be visiting three libraries this week with Brave Books Riley Gaines and Brave Books.
His Saturday stops included Hendersonville Public Library in Hendersonville, Tennessee, Madison Public Library in Huntsville, Alabama, and Taylor Public Library in Taylor, Texas, outside Austin.
Brave Books reported that as of Thursday, the number of libraries booked for Saturday Story Hour had grown from 300 to over 300.
The group reported earlier in the week more than 260 reserved library spaces.
The Publisher has also announced that 46 states are now represented at the “See You at the Library Event”.
