Media Contact
Kym Blanchard
Marketing Director
The New Republic
kblanchard@tnr.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE NEW REPUBLIC LAUNCHES THE BANNED BOOKS TOUR 2023
New York, NY—September 18, 2023 The New Republic, a media organization dedicated to
addressing today’s most critical issues, proudly announces the launch of an inspiring new
initiative aimed at championing the First Amendment and combating censorship: The Banned
Books Tour 2023.
Coinciding with the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week, which runs from
October 1 to 7, this groundbreaking journey will take TNR’s mission on the road, spreading
awareness of the importance of the freedom to read to communities across the United States.
Our bookmobile, a symbol of literary liberation, will visit states that have experienced some of
the highest incidences of book censorship, including Texas, Florida, Missouri, Virginia, and
Pennsylvania, and will continue to operate through the month of October.
Michael Caruso, CEO and publisher of The New Republic, comments, “Launching a book
festival on wheels is a huge new undertaking for us, and I can’t wait to hit the road to support
the importance of reading. It’s even more exciting that we can embark in time to support ALA’s
Banned Books Week. The New Republic has been a leading defender of the First Amendment
for over a century, and this is a new way to give people the tools to join the fight for the
freedom to read.”
Produced by Inspira Marketing, The New Republic’s “festival on wheels” will be a
transformative experience, forging connections with local communities, renowned authors,
bookstores, libraries, and civic leaders, all united in celebrating the fundamental right to read.
This visionary endeavor marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing commitment to safeguarding
intellectual freedom and the dissemination of diverse ideas.
We are thrilled to kick-start this remarkable journey at the prestigious Brooklyn Book Festival,
running from September 24 to October 2. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners at
House of SpeakEasy for their invaluable support via the SpeakEasy Bookmobile, and to Nora
Roberts for her significant contributions as a sponsor to our cause.
TNR’s Banned Books Tour 2023 will embark on its journey through the following cities:
● Brooklyn, NY
● Pittsburgh, PA
● Washington, D.C.
● Daytona, FL
● Miami, FL
● Tallahassee, FL
● Jacksonville, FL
● Norfolk, VA
● Springfield, MO
● Lexington, KY
● Dallas, TX
● Austin, TX
● San Antonio, TX
We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed partners who have made this mission
possible, including:
The American Federation of Teachers/Real Solutions for Kids and Communities
The American Federation of Teachers is a union of professionals that champions fairness;
democracy; economic opportunity; and high-quality public education, health care and public
services for our students, their families, and our communities. Visit AFT.org/RealSolutions or
follow #RealSolutionsforKids for more information.
Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of
challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries. The annual event highlights the value
of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community —
librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared
support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.
The African American Policy Forum
The African American Policy Forum (AAPF) is an innovative and intersectional think tank
which launched the From Freedom Riders to Freedom Readers: Books Unbanned campaign in
October 2022 to increase critical literacy, voter engagement, and understanding of how the
suppression of knowledge renders us unable to confront inequality.
Visit aapf.org/truthbetold for more information.
Bookshop.org
Bookshop.org works to connect readers with independent booksellers all over the world.
We believe local bookstores are essential community hubs that foster culture, curiosity, and a
love of reading, and we’re committed to helping them thrive.
House of SpeakEasy
SpeakEasy is dedicated to the idea that literature matters and that the essence of literary culture
is the relationship between writers and their readers. On stage. In schools. On the road. We
believe that book ownership should be a right, not a privilege.
Urban Libraries Council
The Urban Libraries Council has spent 50 years enriching communities by strengthening and
promoting the value of libraries as essential public assets.
Join The New Republic on this groundbreaking journey as we embark on the Banned Books
Tour 2023. Together, we will protect and celebrate the power of literature and the freedom to
read.
About The New Republic
The New Republic is one of America’s most influential political and cultural media brands,
shaping the national conversation for more than a century. It has been called “the most
entertaining and intellectually agile magazine in the country” and “must reading for thought
leaders.” On multiple platforms, including print, digital, and live events, The New
Republic presents newsmaking original reporting and incisive commentary on the most critical
issues in U.S. politics, foreign affairs, business, technology, and the arts.
Today, The New Republic’s vigorous defense of liberal democracy and its robust tradition of lively civic
engagement are more crucial than ever in a dangerous and rapidly changing world
