Washington, DC— Following Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin’s release of a new ad, featuring a woman who advocated for banning Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer prize-winning novel “Beloved” from school reading lists, People For President Ben Jealous released the following statement:

“Book banning, especially when it targets authors of color and the experiences of historically marginalized communities, is one of the oldest and ugliest tools employed by the Far Right in America. It is also a favored tactic of oppressive regimes around the world. So it is alarming to see a candidate for Governor of Virginia in 2021 running ads that endorse book banning and censorship. The contrast is clear: Glenn Youngkin is trying to win this race with racist dog whistles and division, while Terry McAuliffe is running on a platform of job growth, accessible health care and more investment in education. There’s no question that McAuliffe’s strategy is the right one for Virginia’s future.”

About People For the American Way 

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org .