ABFFE Launches New Harry Potter T-Shirt and
Button
Harry Potter is once again helping raise funds for the American Booksellers Foundation for
Free Expression (ABFFE). ABFFE has issued a new Harry Potter T-shirt and button that urge
people to "Fight for Harry Potter and Free Speech for Kids!" Proceeds will
support ABFFE's anti-censorship activities, which have included two successful efforts to
overturn bans on Harry Potter books in school libraries. Several years ago, ABFFE issued a
very popular "Muggles for Harry Potter" T-shirt and button in conjunction with a
Michigan campaign.
The new T-shirt and button, which are based on the cover art for "Harry Potter and
the Order of the Phoenix," may be purchased individually or for resale. Individual
T-shirts are $20; for quantities of 12 or more, the price is $10. Imprinting is available
for $1 per shirt. A bag of 100 buttons is $50. ABFFE members receive a discount.
Orders can be placed online through the ABFFE Store, www.abffe.com; by downloading an
order form, or by calling ABFFE at (212)
587-4025. The T-shirts and buttons will also be on sale at the ABFFE booth during BookExpo
America in Chicago, June 4-6. The booth will be located off the Grand Concourse in the
North Lobby of the McCormick Place Convention Center.
Tickets for Carlin Concert at BookExpo America Selling at
Record Pace
Sales of tickets for the George Carlin concert at BookExpo America have set a record. With
one week to go before the event, BookExpo has sold more than 1,750 tickets, breaking the
record set by Ellen DeGeneres at last year's Book Industry Foundation (BIF) concert.
Carlin will perform on Saturday, June 5, at 9 p.m. at Navy Pier. The BIF concert is a
benefit for ABFFE and the Association of American Publishers' Get Caught Reading campaign.
Tickets are $25 each, $45 for two and $100 for five. Convention attendees may buy tickets online, by telephone, (800) 840-5614, at the
registration desk at the convention or at Navy Pier. Seating is on a first-come,
first-serve basis. So get there early for the best seats!
ABFFE BEA Program
Will Explore Next Steps on PATRIOT Act
ABFFE and the American Booksellers Association will mark the close of the first phase of
the Campaign for Reader Privacy in several ways during BookExpo America. During the
Celebration of Bookselling on Friday night, ABA will reveal how many signatures have been
gathered on petitions in bookstores, libraries and on the Web. ABA has been counting
signatures in preparation for making a formal presentation to Congress in late June.
However, stores that wish to continue to circulate the petition are encouraged to do so.
On Saturday at 1:30 p.m., ABFFE will explore the next steps in the Campaign for Reader
Privacy during a program, "Amending the PATRIOT Act: The Fight Continues." The
program, which will be held in Room 404A, is also sponsored by the Association of American
Publishers and the Freedom to Read Foundation. Throughout the convention, ABA and PEN
American Center will be distributing a free sticker, calling for amending the PATRIOT Act.
It can be picked up during the Saturday program or by visiting the ABFFE booth.
Preparations
Advance for Silent Auction at BEA and Online
The annual ABFFE Silent Auction is getting ready to roll, both at BookExpo America and
online. Every year, the auction offers some of the best deals anywhere on new books, book
sidelines and book services as well as dozens of fun items. At BEA, we will be auctioning
off airline tickets, a World War II poster promoting free expression, and editorial
cartoons on civil liberties topics. The online auction will include package deals for
attending the regional bookseller trade shows this fall, a wide assortment of autographed
books, tickets to a Yankees game, DVD's and video games. To view a sample of the items
that will be offered in both auctions, click here.
Both auctions will launch on Friday, June 4, the day BookExpo opens. The "paper and
pen" auction, which will be located off the Grand Concourse in the North Lobby,
closes Sunday, June 6, at noon. However, the online auction, which is located on the ABFFE
Web site, www.abffe.com, will continue through June 18 to allow BEA attendees to enter the
bidding when they return home. Join the fun--and help support free speech!
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