🤯Despite complaints from local GOP activists Hartland’s library does not contain p 0rn. See the ʼdiscussionʼ section of this event for a list of the 200+ books that a member of Bill Bolin’s MAGA church wants to see removed from the public library because she doesn’t agree with the content. For context, Don Thompson stated that he could only remember one, maybe two, book challenges in his 27 years as a Cromaine board member. In short, the public could likely be cut off from hundreds of books in our library soon.
😡Big money evangelical pastor Bill Bolin of FloodGate ran a slate that overthrew Hartland’s public library board last election, despite never having never been seen in the library or even having a library card previously he now runs it. He has an extraordinary amount of power over our local election outcomes through his thousand+ congregation. He was successful in kicking out deeply experienced library board members, some who have sat on Cromaine’s board for decades. Like the school boards, this will continue to happen in libraries across Livingston Co. It’s crucial we all pay attention to our local library board meetings and races 👀
In his first meeting as president of Cromaine library Bolin stated “For those who do not know why I ran for this position, I desire to protect children from the harm that can befall them over coercive behavior. The approach I am suggesting, along with certain colleagues, is to change the sexual tone and nature of some library policies and practices. . . Those who serve on the library board and want to implement policies that restrict access to certain books and place content warning labels will be able to enact policies. . . Bolin added that a list of books that would be recommended for labeling was being compiled with at least 80 titles, minimum, to be presented to the librarian “for labeling and movement into an age-appropriate section of the library.” Now he is making good on that promise in Hartland.
THIS IS COORDINATED AND HAPPENING ACROSS MICHIGAN
Last week in Ottawa Co. the Patmos Library had to close its doors because their dedicated and experienced library team were forced to quit due to being undermined, pressured and professionally compromised by a board that disregarded core library principles. It was stated that the Patmos library board continuously pushed for policies that targeted LGBTQ books and to restrict access to information based on their personal and political agendas. Community members at Hartland’s last library board meeting warned that this could be the near future for Cromaine while the extremist library board members insisted that “this is what the majority of the community wants.”
Fact is, out of the 44 total speakers during the ‘call to public’ since Bollin’s circus was seated this past January the majority have actually been pro diverse & inclusive literature (30) to the pro censorship speakers (14). It should also be noted that many of those mobilizing to call LGBTQ books “p 0rn” at these meetings are the same activists we saw at Hartland school’s anti-LGBTQ policy meetings- many with ties to the local GOP. This tracks with what Cromaine’s community survey results from 2024 reflected which was that it is a minority group calling for censorship of library materials (see discussion section).
🤬We know that for years, County Commissioner Wes Nakagiri, whom the new library board members associates with, has publicly stated that it is his goal to “Ottawa Impact” Livingston Co. and we know that he has been working really hard with the GOP to make that a reality at the local government level. Wes has shown up to numerous Cromaine meetings and spews his popular anti-woke/culture war rhetoric. It is not surprising that we are seeing the same policies and attacks in Hartland that Ottawa is experiencing because it is the playbook.
Additionally, Hartland’s library recently voted to withdraw from the Michigan Library Association because it’s an “extremely left wing organization”
CURRENT IMPACT IN HARTLAND
Perhaps most concerning is that at May’s board meeting Bolin reluctantly admitted to working with the legal team at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) to draft Cromaine’s new anti-LGBTQ policy to censor and hide books away that they deem to be sexually explicit. ADF is a designated hate group by the SPLC, they are currently working hard in the courts right now to overturn conversion therapy bans across the country. You can learn more about them in the recent easy-to-digest John Oliver episode in comments.
Founders of the ADF have warned that gay marriage can lead to inc est, beasti ality and ped ohilia, have praised Hit ler and described gay rights as “the principal threat to religious freedom”. Attacking the rights and dignity of gay people has been at the center of ADF’s work. Their goal is to trigger as many lawsuits that can get to the supreme court as possible. They know that what they’re proposing at Cromaine likely could be challenged legally, but that is the point- they want it to go to court because ADF’s ultimate goal is eliminating LGBTQ+ American status as protected-class citizens (sources in discussion section).
When people believe a group is morally repugnant or socially dangerous, as Bolin has been preaching to community members, it adds a tremendous intensity to the commitment and loyalty of their movement/mission. A matching commitment and loyalty to ending this attack on our libraries has not materialized, which is why 💥WE NEED YOU🫵🏽
WHAT DO WE DO?🤔
We must act now to secure the future of our libraries and intellectual freedom!
👉🏽SHOW UP👈🏽
We all have to understand where the censorship movement is going next in order to be able to effectively push back, which is why SAGE is holding an 🚨Emergency Community Forum🚨 on Thursday, September 4th from 6-8pm at Hartland’s Historic Music Hall to discuss the situation and ideas on how we can work together moving forward. There will be speakers as well as a facilitated community discussion so please come and have your voice included. There is limited seating, you must register by emailing
c2FnZWxpdmNvIHwgZ21haWwgISBjb20= to reserve a spot. There is a $5 suggested donation to help cover the rental fee of the hall.
🗓️ 8/21 at 7pm is the next board meeting at Cromaine. Many children from the high school are showing up to these meetings and have expressed that support is greatly appreciated! You can speak during the ‘call to the public’ (3 minutes) or just be a supportive presence.
📞Contact (517) 292-4253 with any questions.
This event is offered at, but not by, Historic Hartland Music Hall. The Hall/Library do not sponsor or endorse this event.
Also check out other Meetups in Hartland, Business events in Hartland, Sports events in Hartland.
|
