Ohio Man Burns 100 Library Books, Community Responds

A man in Beachwood, Ohio, is accused of checking out 100 books on African American, Jewish, and LGBTQ history from the local public library and burning them, posting a video of the act to the extremist platform Gab. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from local faith groups, officials, and Ohio State Senator Kent Smith, who denounced the book burning as an attack on free expression. In response, the Interfaith Group Against Hate has launched a drive to donate 1,000 books uplifting Black, Jewish, and LGBTQ+ voices to libraries and community organizations. Local churches and interfaith coalitions are organizing events to promote diversity, free speech, and support for libraries. The Cuyahoga County Public Library has declined to comment during the ongoing police investigation. The case has become a flashpoint for discussions about hate, censorship, and the protection of marginalized communities' histories.