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Legal Expenses for Librarian Cara Chance

Hi, my name is Lynette Mejía, and I'm raising money to help cover the costs of legal expenses for one of our amazing local librarians, Cara Chance.

The Lafayette Public Library Board of Control is trying to FIRE Cara because she spoke up against censorship.

Last month, Cara created a three-sided teen romance display in her branch after our library Director issued new guidelines banning displays during Pride Month and other cultural history months. One side was devoted to LGBTQ+ teen romance books. Though Cara’s display absolutely followed the new guidelines, it exposed the true nature of the ban - bigotry - and therefore drew the board's ire.

Cara was told on a Friday afternoon that her ‘employment status’ would be discussed by the board on Monday afternoon, with no opportunity to hear why she was being fired until the meeting began. She was not given due process. She was not given time to prepare. She was not even given a chance to answer the charges laid against her.

Luckily, the motion to fire Cara was tabled for now, but that only means the board is delaying action. Her fight is not over. To defend herself, she needs our help. Money raised will be used to cover Cara's legal expenses, and any excess will be donated to EveryLibrary, a non-profit dedicated to helping cities and towns across America secure funding for their public libraries. 

Censorship in our public libraries is on the rise. Lafayette, Louisiana, has been under attack for years from far-right religious activists. They have taken over our library board and have attempted to ban LGBTQ+ and sex education books multiple times. Cara has been there, meeting after meeting, fighting back.

Cara has stood up for us. Now let’s stand up for Cara.

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Donations 

  • Andrew Chandler
    • $25 
    • 7 mos
  • Jessica Dorman
    • $50 
    • 7 mos
  • Carolyn Burr
    • $25 
    • 7 mos
  • Ellen B Hahn
    • $25 
    • 7 mos
  • Anonymous
    • $25 
    • 7 mos
Donate

Organizer and beneficiary

Lynette Mejia
Organizer
Lafayette, LA
Cara Chance
Beneficiary

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