Congresswoman Brown Statement on Burned Books from Beachwood Library

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) releases the following statement regarding reports that a man burned approximately 100 books on Jewish, Black, and LGBTQ topics, checked out from the Beachwood branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library:

“Burning books that explore Black, Jewish, and LGBTQ experiences is not just censorship—it is an act of hate, plain and simple. These deliberate attempts to erase the stories and voices of marginalized communities are an attack on the values of inclusion, empathy, and understanding. And let’s be honest: this kind of hate doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s part of a disturbing wave we’re seeing across the country. A wave enabled – sometimes with a wink and a nod, sometimes with a bullhorn—by leaders who should know better than to fan the flames of division for political gain. 

“We can’t let hate take root here. In Northeast Ohio, we stand for something better. We reject bigotry. We reject the politics of fear. We reject the kind of hate that tries to silence and erase. And we celebrate difference—and seek to learn and grow from each other’s stories.  We are a community that welcomes everyone, and we won’t sit quietly while others try to turn back the clock.”

Congresswoman Brown also spoke out on the incident earlier this week. 

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