Federal Judge Rules on Minor's Testimony in Book Ban Case

A federal judge has ruled that a 7-year-old girl, J.N., must testify in a lawsuit against the Escambia County School Board regarding the removal and restriction of certain library books, which critics argue violates First Amendment rights. The judge, U.S. Magistrate Zachary Bolitho, stated that J.N. is uniquely positioned to provide insight into her interests and experiences with the books in question, which include titles about people of color and LGBTQ themes. Despite the mother's concerns about the stress this could impose on her daughter, the judge limited the deposition to 90 minutes and allowed a parent to be present. The lawsuit, initiated by parents, authors, and advocacy groups like PEN America, challenges the school board's practices as potentially discriminatory against certain viewpoints. These developments are part of a broader controversy in Florida over book bans and restrictions prompted by legislation from the state's Republican leaders. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for similar policies across Florida.