From Mother Jones · Stephanie Mencimer · · 2m
Utah Governor Cox Promotes Book Amid Book Bans
Utah's governor pushes book to sell while enforcing strict book bans.
In brief
Utah's governor pushes book to sell while enforcing strict book bans. Utah Governor Spencer Cox promotes his book on peacemaking while supporting statewide book bans that have removed 44 public school books. Originally reported by Mother Jones.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox
Utah's Republican Governor Spencer Cox promotes his new book Off Ramp: How to be a peacemaker in an age of contempt.
Book Banning Law
Utah passed a book banning law in 2024 that allows statewide removal of books from school libraries.
44 Books Banned
Since the law's passage, Utah has banned 44 books from public school libraries and AP classes.
Book Bans Target LGBTQ Content
Most banned books are challenged for LGBTQ-related content or what book-banners call pornography.
Salt Lake City Bookstore
Salt Lake City bookstore owner Ken Sanders displays a sandwich board saying 'We Buy Banned Books.'
Book Promotion Backlash
The King's English bookstore canceled a promotion for Cox's book after customers complained it was contradictory.
Cox's Book Title
Cox's book title 'Off Ramp: How to be a peacemaker in an age of contempt' contradicts his book banning efforts.
Book Ban Law Mechanics
If three school districts or two districts and five charter schools ban a book, it is removed statewide.
Davis County Bans
Davis County, a conservative area north of Salt Lake City, has banned books for LGBTQ content and racial harassment.
Cox's Book Promotion
Cox promoted his book at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C.
Book Ban Law Origin
The book banning law originated from a 2022 law that allowed individual school districts to ban books.
Cox's Stance
Cox signed the expanded book banning law in 2024 despite criticism from education advocates and civil liberties groups.
Legal Challenge
Authors, the estate of Kurt Vonnegut, and students sued the state over the book banning law.
Cox's Book Promotion
Cox promoted his book as if the book bans never happened, saying 'Civilization cannot continue if we can’t read.'
What it means
Utah Governor Spencer Cox promotes his book on peacemaking while supporting statewide book bans that have removed 44 public school books.
