Facing a federal lawsuit over their removal of 36 books from schools, the Nassau County School District reached a settlement agreement to return the books to library shelves.
The books on the list included works by Ellen Hopkins and Sarah Maas as well as works by prize-winning author Toni Morrison. Oft-challenged works such as The Kite Runner, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and The Hate You Give were on the list, as well as the children’s book And Tango Makes Three, the true story of two male penguins who adopt a penguin nestling.
The board’s action was picked up by local news in late January, and that local news story caught the attention of Tango authors Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, who are no strangers to having their book challenged.
The challenge to the books was brought by the Nassau County Chapter of Citizens Defending Freedom. That chapter’s executive director Jack Knocke said in February “School districts that are breaking the law should be held accountable. In this case, we are very pleased with the cooperation and professionalism of the Nassau County School Board, who respectfully worked with us every step of the way to help protect our county’s children.”
Citizens Defending Freedom was founded as County Citizens Defending Freedom in 2021. Jack Jenkins at Religion News Service reported that the inspiration came from hearing Rand Paul speak to a group of faith and business leaders meeting at Mar-a-Lago. The group also has names ties to other conservative groups, particularly the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian conservative group that has exercised considerable influence in opposing LGTBQ rights and abortion.
CCDF started out in Polk County, where the group challenged 16 books as illegal in 2022. It soon expanded to other counties and states, changing its name to reflect its greater reach. In its IRS filing, CDF lists a threefold mission:
To equip and empower American citizens to stand for and preserve freedom for themselves and future generations. To resolve breaches of liberty through local awareness, local light, and local action. To educate the American citizen on the value of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its influence on America’s founding.
Founder Steve Maxwell is the CEO of a company that makes produce packaging, and most of the visible members of CDF are also Christian businessmen. One critic called them “Moms for Liberty in suits.”