Former North Dakota lawmakers speak against Book Banning

(Valley City, ND) -- Two former North Dakota lawmakers are speaking against a pair of book banning bills progressing through the legislature.

Larry Robinson and Phil Mueller spoke at a meeting Tuesday at the Valley City Public Library.

Mueller says First Amendment rights will be violated if the bills pass. Robinson says citizens would be able to refer books for banning through the current legislation.

A Senate bill would charge a librarian with a misdemeanor, jail time, and a fine for willfully displaying sexually explicit materials considered offensive by contemporary North Dakota standards in places children visit.