2024 – Censorship at the Jewish Public Library in Montreal

About a hundred people rallied Sunday in support of author Elisa Gravel, whose books were removed from the shelves of the Jewish Public Library in Montreal. The author expressed his solidarity with the Palestinian people through the pictures, which the management of the institution recognized as anti-Semitic.

“Elise Gravel is a wonderful author, so children should have access to her wonderful books,” pleads Peggy Burns, the author's colorful creation in her hand.

There were hundreds of them with signs in hand and keffiyehs around their necks in front of Montreal's Jewish Public Library on Sunday afternoon.

Last week, the facility removed Eliza Gravel's books from its self-service shelves. The reason given? Publications supporting Palestine were recognized by the library management as anti-Semitic.

A decision that sparked outrage from the press world to the National Assembly.

“Our authors have a wide range of opinions and we believe they should be able to express them,” continues Peggy Burns, editor of Drawn & Quarterly, the English-language publisher of Gravel's work.

“Eliza speaks her opinion responsibly. If he makes a mistake, he owns it, apologizes and corrects it. He has the right to do what he wants on social networks,” he added.

“I like Eliza Gravel's books,” Melek murmurs shyly. Hey, the little girl just finished reading one of them. I want a monster! “It's about a little girl who wants to adopt a monster…” he sums up jokingly. “They want to censor books. It's too far,” says mother Selima Dries. “He is an author we have known for a long time. We love it,” he continued.

Next, Beranger Ryue distributes the author's books to several children present. “I think it's important to understand that criticizing the Israeli government is not anti-Semitism. Censorship of his books is an attack. This is dangerous,” says the Jewish mother.

The demonstration was organized by Independent Jewish Voices, an organization that advocates peace for all between Israel and Palestine.

“As Jews, we have a duty to oppose any kind of book ban because of our history. The images of the Nazis burning our books remind us again and again how fragile freedom of speech is,” said the organization's press release published during the event.

There was no major stakeholder in the demonstration Press. Last week, he responded to the controversy on Facebook.

“I am sorry that these children have limited access to my books, but I want to say that I have no anger towards the library, its staff or management. I understand the toxic climate and social pressures that drive people and organizations to self-censor and self-censor,” wrote Elise Gravel.

From now on, parents or children wishing to borrow one of his works from the Montreal Jewish Public Library will have to request it directly from the box office.

The problem is not their “objectively harmless” content, says the representative of the institution. Press.

“This approach demonstrates our commitment to responding to the diverse concerns and sensitivities of our community,” he continued.

Following this incident, the National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution reiterating the importance of “freedom of opinion, expression and free circulation of ideas.”

Elected officials also supported Miriam Daguzan Bernier and Cécile Gariepy, whose book: All naked!In Missouri, a Republican candidate for secretary of state burned him with a flamethrower.