Legal Proceedings Halted in PEN America vs. Escambia County School Board

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- A U.S. District Judge has issued a stay in the lawsuit filed by PEN America against the Escambia County School Board. According to the PNJ, the suit alleges First Amendment violations over book removals. The stay was signed on October 21, and pauses proceedings while two similar appeals concerning book bans are pending in federal court. One appeal challenges the removal of "And Tango Makes Three," while another questions the constitutionality of a law responsible for sweeping thousands of books from school libraries. PEN America, along with parents and major publishers, claim that the school board's actions disproportionately target books by authors of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. The Escambia County School Board has reportedly spent over $440,000 in legal fees related to the lawsuit.