For immediate release | February 20, 2015

ALA Council denounces Charlie Hebdo attack

CHICAGO — In response to the recent attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, the ALA (American Library Association) Council has passed a resolution denouncing “these bloody assaults on fundamental human rights.”

The resolution, which was passed at the ALA Midwinter Meeting, held Jan. 30 – Feb. 3 in Chicago, states that the American Library Association has been a staunch advocate for and defender of the freedom of the press and the freedom of speech contained in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and that the recent attack on Charlie Hebdo is another heinous attempt to undermine freedom of expression.

The resolution goes on to express ALA’s deepest condolences to all those associated with Charlie Hebdo, affirms ALA’s solidarity with L’Association des Bibliothécares de France and reaffirms in the strongest possible terms ALA’s unwavering commitment to the advocacy and defense of intellectual freedom, including freedom of the press, freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

Contact:

JoAnne Kempf

Director, Office of ALA Governance

Office of ALA Governance

jkempf@ala.org