Holly Dickson, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, said the law “was an attempt to ‘thought police,’ and this victory over totalitarianism is a testament to the courage of librarians, booksellers and readers who refused to bow to intimidation.”

The law, which threatened imprisonment if librarians or booksellers provided ‘harmful’ content to minors, violates the First Amendment, a federal judge ruled.

Republicans passed the law in 2023, joining other conservative states and counties that have sought to restrict the availability of certain books.

A federal judge struck down key parts of an Arkansas law that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing "harmful" materials to minors.

U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Brooks on Monday (Dec. 23) issued an order striking down key provisions in Act 372, an attempt by the Arkansas Legislature to censor library

A federal judge on Monday permanently blocked portions of Arkansas’ law that would have changed how librarians handle challenged materials and given elected officials the final say over what books are available to the public.