Teachers in Manatee County, Florida, are being told to make their classroom libraries and any other "unvetted" book inaccessible to students, or risk felony prosecution. The new policy is part of an effort to comply with new laws and regulations championed by Governor Ron DeSantis (R). It is based on the premise, promoted by right-wing advocacy groups, that teachers and librarians are using books to "groom" students or indoctrinate them with leftist ideologies.
In Florida, school boards have implemented policies that critics say are ostracizing LGBTQ students. In some districts, teachers have removed certain books and rainbow flags from classrooms and others are obligated to report openly LGBTQ students to their parents. High school senior Will Larkins and recent graduate Javier Gomez joined William Brangham to discuss what it means for teenagers there.