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Legal battles over LGBTQ books could cost Crawford County $500,000
Hat tip, Joe.My.God.
AR County Faces $500K+ Costs In LGBTQ Books Battle
November 17, 2024
November 17, 2024
Legal battles over LGBTQ books could cost Crawford County $500,000
Plaintiffs say, "the County has no remorse; it has learned nothing."
by: Reagan Wynn
Posted: Nov 17, 2024 / 02:09 PM CST
Updated: Nov 17, 2024 / 03:12 PM CST
VAN BUREN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Crawford County is facing ongoing lawsuits over removing LGBTQ books from children’s library sections, costing taxpayers nearly $500,000 in legal defense. … The dispute could result in an additional $118,000 in legal fees, potentially affecting the library system’s budget.
Background
The dispute began in late 2022 when residents raised concerns about LGBTQ-related materials in the Crawford County Library System during Quorum Court meetings.
Van Buren resident Dr. Jeff Hamby and Rudy resident John Riordan led the charge, calling for the removal of books that they claimed promoted “homosexual lifestyles” and “gender confusion” using taxpayer dollars.
Crawford County mom wants relocated books put back, no trial
In May 2023, three mothers — Rebecca Virden, Samantha Rowlett and Nina Prater — filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the county after the library system implemented a policy requiring the removal of LGBTQ-themed books from children’s sections. The plaintiffs alleged that the policy violated their rights and their children’s.
{snip}
Plaintiffs say, "the County has no remorse; it has learned nothing."
by: Reagan Wynn
Posted: Nov 17, 2024 / 02:09 PM CST
Updated: Nov 17, 2024 / 03:12 PM CST
VAN BUREN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Crawford County is facing ongoing lawsuits over removing LGBTQ books from children’s library sections, costing taxpayers nearly $500,000 in legal defense. … The dispute could result in an additional $118,000 in legal fees, potentially affecting the library system’s budget.
Background
The dispute began in late 2022 when residents raised concerns about LGBTQ-related materials in the Crawford County Library System during Quorum Court meetings.
Van Buren resident Dr. Jeff Hamby and Rudy resident John Riordan led the charge, calling for the removal of books that they claimed promoted “homosexual lifestyles” and “gender confusion” using taxpayer dollars.
Crawford County mom wants relocated books put back, no trial
In May 2023, three mothers — Rebecca Virden, Samantha Rowlett and Nina Prater — filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the county after the library system implemented a policy requiring the removal of LGBTQ-themed books from children’s sections. The plaintiffs alleged that the policy violated their rights and their children’s.
{snip}