Sep 19, 2023 at 9:33 pm

Ariana Grande, Gabrielle Union & More Stars Join LeVar Burton & Sign Open Letter To Stop Book Banning

Ariana Grande and Gabrielle Union are just two of the major stars who signed an open letter that calls out and condemns book banning.

LeVar Burton put the letter in motion, and published public advocacy organization and political action committee MoveOn Political Action this week.

In addition to Ariana and Gabrielle, over 175 actors have signed it in support.

Keep reading to find out more…

According to THR, the letter encourages readers, teachers and more to challenge the banning of books starting at the school level, and called out how the bans demonstrated “restrictive behavior” which is “antithetical to free speech and expression.”

“We cannot stress enough how these censorious efforts will not end with book bans,” it reads. “It’s only a matter of time before regressive, suppressive ideologues will shift their focus toward other forms of art and entertainment, to further their attacks and efforts to scapegoat marginalized communities, particularly BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folks.”

The letter adds that the ones who have chosen to sign will continue to “refuse to remain silent as one creative field is subjected to oppressive bans.”

Mark Ruffalo, Billy Porter, Chelsea Handler, Constance Wu, John Leguizamo, Christie Brinkley, Idina Menzel, Judy Blume, Busy Philipps, Andy Cohen, Sarah Paulson, Emma Roberts, Sharon Stone, Judd Apatow, Zooey Deschanel, Patton Oswalt, Natasha Lyonne, are just a handful of the other big names on the list who have signed the letter.