The U.S. Senate is on the verge of amending the First Amendment for the first time, opening the door to future amendments that will seriously undermine free speech in this country. On April 29, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved and sent to the Senate floor an amendment that would allow state legislatures to ban the desecration of the American flag. A vote by the full Senate could come as early as Tuesday.

Twice before, the flag amendment has come within a handful of votes of passing the Senate, which is the last major hurdle to the passage of the amendment. Although it has not been approved by the House of Representatives this year, the flag amendment has easily garnered the necessary votes there in the past. In addition, a large number of state legislatures have passed resolutions endorsing the amendment, indicating that securing approval from two-thirds of the states would not be difficult once the Senate has passed it.

Booksellers have been active in their opposition to the effort to amend the First Amendment. Last year, ABFFE submitted a statement to the Senate explaining our position. It read, in part: 

"Booksellers join the supporters of the flag amendment in condemning those who desecrate the American flag. Like them, we understand the importance of symbols. But the First Amendment is the principle that make American democracy the freest in the world. The attachment of any caveat will weaken our defense against the ayatollahs both at home and abroad who are trying to impose on others their definitions of heresy and truth. It will do more damage than any flag burner ever could."

ABFFE urges booksellers to make their voices heard once more. Call or fax your Senators and urge them to oppose Senate Joint Resolution 14, the "Flag Desecration Constitutional Amendment." ACLU and People for the American Way have information on their web sites that makes this easy. At the ACLU site, you can send faxes for free. The People for the American Way site, www.FlagAmendment.org, has a directory of the phone numbers of all Senators and Representatives.

Please act today--before it's too late. 

Previously in ABFFE Update