PRATTVILLE — The Autauga County Commission is considering receiving an opinion from Attorney General Steve Marshall regarding legal remedies in the ongoing battle over books containing sexually explicit material for minors at the Autauga-Prattville Public Library.
For months, parents in Autauga County have expressed concerns over the inclusion of dozens of sexually explicit books for minors.
What started as a small gaggle of mothers bringing a handful of books to the library board has led to hundreds of books added to a continually growing list. Hundreds signed a petition on Change.org before it was taken down for violating "hate speech" rules.
Nevertheless, several concerned citizens have repeatedly approached the city council and county commission since both are responsible for appointing library board members and funding.
For many opposed to the books, the response from the city council has proven lackluster.
At a Thursday meeting of the Autauga County GOP, several locals who have become regular faces at the city council and county commission presented their cause.
Chuk Shirley spoke to the local GOP, claiming the issue within the library was derivative of the 45 Communist goals, which were read into the congressional record in 1963. The goals as entered were not compiled by any actual Communists. Instead, they were assembled by critics of Communism.
Shirley quoted from the following goals:
Goal 24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.
Goal 25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.
Goal 26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."
Shirley further claimed they had identified over 100 books for minors that either teach gender ideology or contain explicit sexual content, none of which had been requested by residents before the books were brought to the public's attention. After the books were brought to the public's attention, supporters of the books' inclusion encouraged supporters to request more books to "make the library gayer."
After Shirley concluded speaking, Autauga GOP chairman Bill Harris pointed out that several libraries across the state dealt with similar issues. He also pointed out that members of the Autauga County Commission had suggested receiving a legal opinion from Marshall, a guest speaker at the meeting. The opinion would clarify the county and city's allowable actions in addressing the books.
One member of the Autauga County Commission was present and announced that a motion to submit a request to the AG's office would likely be on the agenda for the next commission meeting.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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