In this episode of Hard Knock Radio, Davey D hosts Emerson Sykes. Emerson is a senior staff attorney at the ACLU. They discuss the growing wave of book bans. They also cover the attacks on free speech sweeping across the U.S. The conversation spotlights the federal government’s removal of nearly 600 books. This removal includes Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: Young Adult Edition, co-authored by Jeff Chang and Davey D. These books were removed from Department of Defense-run school libraries.
The Bigger Picture
Sykes draws a direct line between executive orders issued by the Trump administration and an aggressive purge. This purge targets materials deemed connected to DEI, gender identity, and so-called “divisive concepts.” He explains that keyword searches were used instead of thoughtful review. These searches yanked hundreds of titles from circulation. Many of these titles center on women, LGBTQ voices, and communities of color.
Free Speech Under Siege
Sykes outlines how the ACLU differentiates between broad ideas of free expression and the legal scope of First Amendment protections. He underscores that the First Amendment shields private speech from government censorship—not private moderation by platforms like Twitter. The current censorship campaign, he argues, clearly violates constitutional rights. It is part of a broader authoritarian push to whitewash history. The campaign also aims to suppress dissent.
Court Battles & Legal Strategy
The ACLU has successfully challenged similar laws in states like Florida and New Hampshire. They focused on cases where public universities faced restrictions on curriculum. Sykes explains that the federal government is arguing it has unchecked authority in this case. They claim power to pull any material for compliance with the Commander-in-Chief. The courts have not yet upheld this stance.
What’s at Stake
Davey D and Sykes explore how legal definitions could pave the way for dangerous precedents. Some definitions attempt to equate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. Such definitions could criminalize dissent. They warn that the broader implications could extend to banning speech critical of police, the military, or U.S. institutions under the guise of “protecting” certain groups.
Call to Action
Sykes urges listeners to stay vigilant in their communities—whether in schools, workplaces, or local governments. He emphasizes pushing back on censorship at the local level. He also highlights the need to support organizations fighting for civil liberties nationwide.
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