Jennifer Tapley, a member of Moms for Liberty, reported to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, alleging the distribution of pornography to a minor in a school.
Members of Moms for Liberty are filing complaints with law enforcement against school librarians for allowing minors to check out books that are widely recommended for their age group
The book in question is Jennifer L. Armentrout’s ”Storm and Fury,” a young adult fantasy novel centered around a heroine with supernatural abilities and a degenerative eye disease. Armentrout has stated that she intended to educate readers about eye disease in an engaging and adventurous manner, not to incite sexual excitement. An investigation into the book’s content revealed scenes involving kissing and a non-penetrative intimate moment but fell far short of explicit pornography.
A member of Moms for Liberty likened it to child pornography
Despite the book’s content, Tapley, a member of Moms for Liberty likened it to child pornography, drawing attention to Florida statute 847.012, which prohibits the distribution of “harmful materials” to minors. Critics argue that this interpretation is extreme, considering the book’s overall value and intent.
This incident highlights a broader trend of efforts to ban books, targeting not only the materials themselves but also the librarians responsible for making them available. As local elections approach, it is crucial to be informed about candidates’ positions on book bans and to vote accordingly.