The Madison County Public Library System in Huntsville, Alabama, has backtracked on its cancellation of a book reading event featuring actor Kirk Cameron and American competitive swimmer Riley Gaines.
According to CBN News, the library initially canceled Publisher Brave Books “See You at the Library Day.” Cameron and Gaines were supposed to read their children’s books at the event. Following the cancellation, First Liberty Institute attorney Jeremy Dys issued a letter to the institution urging it to reverse its decision.
Dys, who represents Cameron and Brave Books, wrote in his letter, “Upon learning that Mr. Cameron and his friend and Brave Books author, Riley Gaines, will be attending in person, you abruptly canceled the event citing ‘security concerns’ from a potential protest of Mr. Cameron and claiming the event exceeds the library’s capacity.”
He added that the library’s refusal to change course would be seen as “unlawful and unconstitutional religious viewpoint and content discrimination in violation of the Alabama Constitution and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”
The letter was published on the same day that the Huntsville Madison County Public Library system released a statement pointing out that the event, hosted by the Moms for Liberty organization, was too large for the facilities to accommodate.
Library officials have now decided to move the event to a larger venue.