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Accomack Education Officials Face Protest Over Book Ban

book cover

ACCOMAC, Va. (AP) - Dozens of people have gathered in a town on Virginia's eastern shore to protest the school district's decision to ban the use of classic novels "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "To Kill a Mockingbird"

WAVY-TV and The Daily Times of Salisbury report students, parents and community members met at the Accomack County courthouse Friday night for the demonstration.

The district has temporarily suspended the use of the books because a parent filed a complaint against their use of racial slurs. A committee that includes a principle, librarian and others will now make a recommendation to the superintendent.

The TV station reports Charles Knitter, a parent who attended Accomack County Public Schools, organized the gathering. He calls the ban "a terrible injustice" and says both novels condemn racism.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.