Court Allows Iowa to Enforce Book Ban Law

A federal appeals court has allowed Iowa to enforce a controversial book ban law, overturning a previous injunction. The U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision permits the law, which bans books depicting sex acts and restricts discussions on gender identity and sexual orientation in schools, to take effect while legal challenges proceed. Critics argue the law is too vague and has already led to the removal of thousands of books, including classic literature, from school libraries. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird supports the ruling, emphasizing parental rights and age-appropriate content, while opponents, including the American Library Association and various advocacy groups, continue their legal fight. The debate centers around definitions of age-appropriateness and the potential chilling effect on educational materials.