Petition launched to bring back Montreal author's book to Jewish Public Library
There are calls for the Jewish Public Library to reverse its decision to pull a book by a Montreal author over controversial social media posts.
The books are temporarily available on request but there is a petition to put the books back on the shelves.
On Sunday, a small protest was held by the Montreal chapter of Independent Jewish Voices to "show our support for censored Quebec author Elise Gravel and to denounce the reprehensible act of book banning."
Elise Gravel took to Facebook to thank the supporters who took part in the demonstration. Gravel is an award-winning children's author and illustrator, and she's come under fire recently over her social media posts about the Israel-Hamas war.
Critics argue she's on an anti-Israel campaign. Since the conflict erupted in October, Gravel has been very vocal online, accusing the Israeli government of bombing children and oppressing Palestinians.
In a recent post on X, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said Gravel's comments "contribute to the alarming rise in antisemitism."
In light of the controversy, the Jewish Public Library decided to remove her books from public view. The library issued a statement to various media outlets last week, which recognized Gravel as "one of Quebec's most beloved children’s book authors. Her work is vibrant, thoughtful, funny, and educational."
The statement went on to say: "While the content of her books is objectively not offensive, we have taken the decision to relocate them from our open shelves to closed stacks. This action ensures that the books remain accessible through our catalogue, while also acknowledging the sensitivities surrounding the author's social media posts."
Since then, an informal group of Montreal friends and writers have launched a petition to denounce what they consider to be a form of censorship because of an author's political views.
"It's chilling when authors or books are treated this way and not even for the content. We have rigorous standards and procedures if there's a complaint about a book. Usually, in Canada, there is an onus for the complainer to prove that this book is offensive," said Leila Marshy, one of the writers behind the petition.
"This is not that. This is an author — her entire catalogue of books being put on closed shelves because of her public, political views."
So far, more than 200 people have signed the petition.
CTV News reached out to the Jewish Public Library for a reaction to the petition and yesterday's demonstration.
"We are listening to the many comments that have been expressed by members of the community," the library wrote in an email, adding that it would respond with an official statement sometime this week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Slovakia's populist prime minister shot multiple times in attempted assassination
Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting after a political event Wednesday afternoon, according to his Facebook profile.
Transport Canada's UFO 'lead' planned to meet with U.S. intel officials, called info requests a 'wild goose chase'
Canada's transportation department had a UFO 'lead' who tried to 'quell' media interest and planned to meet with U.S. intelligence officials.
'Very expensive lunch': Sask. driver handed a cell phone ticket for using points app in McDonald's drive-thru
A warning from a Saskatoon driver about using your fast-food app while in the drive-thru line — a trip to get some free lunch cost him a lot more than he bargained for.
'The Fly' has become notorious in France after a brazen escape. What's his criminal history?
A prisoner nicknamed “The Fly” has become notorious in France overnight after a daring and bloody escape from a prison convoy in Normandy that left two guards dead.
BREAKING Ontario's 'crypto king' Aiden Pleterski arrested
Aiden Pleterski, the self-proclaimed 'crypto king' from Whitby, Ont., has been arrested in Durham Region after allegedly running a Ponzi scheme worth more than $40 million.
BREAKING Barge hits a bridge in Texas, damaging the structure and causing an oil spill
A barge hit a bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, spilling oil into surrounding waters and closing the only road to a small island, officials said.
Person responsible for 1996 drugging of 'Titanic' crew likely not a local: Halifax police
Halifax Regional Police believe a non-resident could be responsible for the infamous drugging of numerous crew members of the 'Titanic' movie with a hallucinogenic in 1996.
Latest updates on the biggest wildfires burning in Canada
Thousands of people in Western Canada remain displaced from their homes as wildfires threaten their communities, triggering evacuation orders and alerts.
OPINION Your attention span is shrinking, studies say. Here's how to stay focused: Sandee LaMotte
Regaining your focus requires you to be mindful of how you are using technology -- a daunting task if you consider the average American spends at least 10 hours a day on screens.