Simsbury Library: Why 'Moms For Liberty' Is Allowed There

SIMSBURY, CT — A conservative organization caught in the crosshairs of the nation's political divide may have canceled a planned organization meeting in Simsbury last week.

But the Simsbury Public Library this week issued a justification as to why "Moms For Liberty" was originally being allowed to meet there on Jan. 29.

According to the Hartford-based Black Lives Matter chapter, which was part of a counter-protest against "Moms for Liberty," the conservative group canceled their meeting.

Still, the local community, including a regional Black Lives Matter chapter, participated in a peaceful protest on Hopmeadow Street near the library.

Tuesday, the Simsbury Public Library explained to the community why "Moms For Liberty" wasn't banned from the library.

"Moms For Liberty" has been associated with anti-LGBTQ views, anti-masking during the pandemic, opposing so-called "critical race theory" teachings; and has, even, quoted Adolf Hitler in some organization literature.

In a one-page letter to the community, the library said First Amendment mandates require no exclusion from the library, regardless of political affiliation.

The letter was signed by Simsbury Public Library Director Lisa Karim Miceli and Simsbury Public Library Board of Trustees Chairperson Holly McGrath.

"First, whether or not the library may choose which groups may meet in the building is not merely subject to the library’s policies. To clarify, publicly funded libraries which offer meeting space to the public are considered designated public forums and are subject to First Amendment rights," wrote library officials in a statement.

"Legal precedent holds that libraries may not exclude any group based on the subject matter to be discussed or the ideas for which the group advocates.

"While the library is open to all, it is in no way an endorsement by the library of any group or organization’s ideas expressed."

According to the library, the Simsbury Public Library — located at 725 Hopmeadow St. — is a "welcoming place for all."