[Libs-Or] FW: [alacoun] Library worker arrested in library after defending patron's free speech

[Robertshaw, Brooke]

I think it needs to be mentioned that not only did this librarian stand up for free speech, but this librarian stood up for someone to speak against the State of Israel as well as Zionism. This is a very unpopular sentiment in this country these days (to the point that states have passed laws banning boycott, divestment and sanctions of Israel) and people who advocate for the Palestinians are having their livelihoods threatened. While I don’t agree with the question about Israel and 9-11, I am one of those who speaks out for Palestine and very much appreciate this librarian being willing to stand up for free speech on this issue. Knowing the movement for Palestine, I know that I’m also speaking for so many others in the USA and around the world.
-Brooke
——————————————————————
M. Brooke Robertshaw, PhD
Assistant Professor & Assessment Librarian
Oregon State University Libraries & Press
121 The Valley Library
Corvallis, OR 97331
Office: (541) 737-1780
Mobile: (541) 870-6136
brooke.robertshaw at oregonstate.edu
——————————————————————
“Numbers have life; they’re not just symbols on paper.” ~Shakuntala Devi


From: Libs-Or <libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us> on behalf of Arlene Weible <arlene.weible at state.or.us>
Date: Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 10:58 AM
To: "libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us" <libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] FW: [alacoun] Library worker arrested in library after defending patron's free speech

There is an article in The Examiner that makes reference to the altercation at the lecture, although no names were reported. It is near the end of the article.
http://www.examiner.net/news/20160511/envoy-cites-trumans-historic-role


From: Libs-Or [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Carol Dinges
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2016 10:46 AM
To: Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney <kbrodbeck-kenney at lincolncity.org>; libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] FW: [alacoun] Library worker arrested in library after defending patron's free speech

I can’t find any additional sources, either – it seems like something as outrageous this would be covered by other news sources, too.
Carol Dinges
Lebanon Public Library

From: Libs-Or [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2016 10:25 AM
To: libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us<mailto:libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] FW: [alacoun] Library worker arrested in library after defending patron's free speech

I agree it is outrageous! I haven't yet been able to find any sources other than the linked article, though; anyone else had any luck?

Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney, MLIS
Library Director
Driftwood Public Library
801 SW Hwy 101, #201
Lincoln City, OR 97367
541-996-1251 (desk)
541-996-1262 (fax)
www.driftwoodlib.org<http://www.driftwoodlib.org/>

>>> "Rawles, Carolyn" <Carolyn.Rawles at corvallisoregon.gov<mailto:Carolyn.Rawles at corvallisoregon.gov>> 9/29/2016 9:00 AM >>>
I don’t know how many of you saw this, but this seems pretty outrageous!

Carolyn

Carolyn Rawles
Library Director
Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
Corvallis, OR  97330

(541)766-6910

Enrich|Excite|Explore





From: alacoun-request at lists.ala.org<mailto:alacoun-request at lists.ala.org> [mailto:alacoun-request at lists.ala.org] On Behalf Of Aaron W. Dobbs
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2016 7:28 AM
To: ALA Council List <alacoun at lists.ala.org<mailto:alacoun at lists.ala.org>>
Subject: [alacoun] Library worker arrested in library after defending patron's free speech

Library Worker Heroically Defends Patron’s Free Speech, Is Brutally Arrested in Library Where He Works
http://bordc.org/news/library-worker-heroically-defends-patrons-free-speech-brutally-arrested-library-works/

“For someone to be assaulted and then arrested for asking a question, in a public library of all places, is abhorrent. The library should be a place where people of all points of view can feel safe and welcome,” Steve Woolfolk, director of public programing at the Kansas City Public Library told the Dissent NewsWire.
...
“I have spent the last 10 years of my life trying to cultivate that atmosphere through public programming at the library. Library staff should be the final arbiters of what constitutes reasonable discourse at a public event held inside a public library,” Woolfolk explained to the Dissent NewsWire. Yet, when he tried to intervene on the questioner’s behalf, Woolfolk found himself arrested at an event he helped plan.
...
Woolfolk stands charged with interfering with the arrest of Rothe-Kushel. Rothe-Kushel, like Woolfolk feared, was charged with trespassing and resisting arrest. “Nobody, be it an individual or an agent of the state, should be able to take it upon themselves to silence a point of view simply because they disagree,” Woolfolk informed the Dissent NewsWire. Yet, it would appear that not only is that exactly what happened, but a librarian who tried to make sure that a public library remained a public forum was arrested, as well.

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