News Summary
The ACLU of South Carolina has filed a lawsuit against the state’s education policies restricting access to certain books, arguing it infringes on students’ rights.
Columbia, South Carolina — The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of South Carolina has filed a lawsuit against the state’s superintendent of education over book bans in school libraries. The lawsuit was submitted on October 7, 2025, in the U.S. District Court of South Carolina, asserting that recently enacted policies are infringing upon students’ rights to access diverse educational materials.
The suit has been filed on behalf of the South Carolina Association of School Librarians and three primary school students, identified by their initials: a 17-year-old from the Charleston County School District, along with a 16 and a 14-year-old from the Greenville County School District. The plaintiffs include the parents of the students, Leah Moore and Charles Rhyne, and Susan and Jed Cridland-Hughes.
The ACLU aims to block the enforcement of Regulation 43-170, set to take effect in June 2024, which bans certain books from school libraries based on their “sexual conduct” content. The lawsuit also challenges a memorandum issued by South Carolina Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver on March 14, 2025, which seeks to restrict books addressing topics such as restorative justice and implicit bias.
Tenley Middleton, the president of the South Carolina Association of School Librarians, has expressed concerns that such censorship limits students’ abilities to critically engage with diverse perspectives and ideas. The lawsuit points to specific examples of banned books that include titles such as “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson, “Flamer” by Mike Curato, and “Normal People” by Sally Rooney.
According to the lawsuit, these policies not only harm students’ access to important information but also create an environment of confusion among librarians regarding compliance. The vague wording of Regulation 43-170 has led to inconsistent applications among school districts, resulting in a climate of fear that has prompted some librarians to preemptively remove hundreds of books to avoid potential repercussions.
The ACLU’s attorney, Sam Kennedy, noted that the ambiguity of Regulation 43-170 has left local entities unsure about which materials are considered acceptable for student access. The suit contends that the actions of Superintendent Weaver violate both the First and Fourteenth Amendments, as they limit students’ educational opportunities.
One student involved in the lawsuit, referred to as “D.R.,” expressed feelings of confusion and fear stemming from the current policies, which have led to the uncertain status of many educational resources. The vague definitions in the regulation hinder librarians’ abilities to judge which materials meet the prohibited criteria for “sexual conduct.”
Furthermore, the ACLU asserts that the requirement for the removal of all materials depicting sexual conduct undermines the educational experience of students. The lawsuit delves into the manner in which the regulation has been enforced and monitored, highlighting the inconsistencies experienced across various school districts in South Carolina.
Nationwide, thirty-one states have implemented similar book banning laws, with South Carolina presenting one of the most expansive restrictions in the nation. In response to the legal challenge, the South Carolina Department of Education has stated that it intends to uphold the legality of its policies. Meanwhile, the Greenville County Schools have indicated they were previously unaware of the lawsuit and have not been served with any legal documentation.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
ACLU Sues South Carolina Over Book-Banning Regulation
ACLU Challenges School Book Ban Regulations in South Carolina
ACLU Files Lawsuit Against South Carolina Education Regulations
Minors and Parents Challenge Book Restrictions in Greenville County
Additional Resources
- Greenville Online: ACLU Lawsuit Against SC Schools
- Google Search: ACLU Lawsuit South Carolina
- Post and Courier: Librarians Sue Over Book Bans
- Google Scholar: Book Bans Education Law
- Fox Carolina: Lawsuit Filed Against State Superintendent
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Book Banning
- Book Riot: Greenville Library Lawsuit
- Google News: Book Bans
- Fox Carolina: SC Leads Nation in Book Bans
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
