A Louisiana librarian has filed a lawsuit against two men and a conservative organization, claiming they defamed her when they attacked her for supporting the teaching of books involving the LGBTQ community.
Amanda Jones, a high school librarian and president of the Louisiana Association of School Librarians, alleged in the lawsuit that a “public campaign” began against her after she spoke out against removing certain books from the school system. Livingston Parish Library at a council meeting.
The suit claims that Citizens for a New Louisiana posted on its Facebook page on July 20, the day after the meeting, criticizing “anti-censorship people” who opposed moving “sexually explicit and erotic material directed at eight to ten children years” in the adult section of libraries.
A second post on July 22 specifically refers to Jones, asking why she is “fighting so hard to keep sexually erotic and pornographic material” in the children’s section. The lawsuit notes that a photo of Jones in the post is surrounded by a red circle with a white border, arguing that it looks similar to a target.
Michael Lunsford, who leads the group, told the publication that Jones is on the “public payroll” and “advocates” for having erotica in the children’s section.
The account allegedly made several posts throughout July and August referencing Jones and tagging her in the posts.
The lawsuit argues that the posts have damaged Jones’ reputation and incited expressions of violence against her.
The lawsuit also alleges that Ryan Thames, who runs a Facebook page called “Bayou State of Mind,” posted a meme of Jones around July 21, showing her smiling and sitting behind a desk and saying that he advocated teaching anal sex to 11-year-olds. -year-old children
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The post was eventually taken down, which Jones believes was the result of Facebook’s intervention, but the post circulated on social media, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit claims the post caused Jones to suffer anxiety and emotional distress, and Thames continued to publicly mock Jones.
Citizens for a New Louisiana, Lunsford and Thames did not immediately return The Hill’s requests for comment.