The Board of Directors of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America has unanimously voted to sign the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression letter supporting H.R. 1157, the Freedom to Read Protection Act introduced by Congressman Sanders.

Under the Patriot Act, federal investigators may, without being required to demonstrate probable cause, search the records of libraries and bookstores. Also under the Act, librarians and bookstore owners are prevented from seeking counsel, or from telling anyone of the investigation of their records.

H.R. 1157 stipulates that federal investigators must show probable cause before a warrant to search bookstore and library records can be obtained, and gives booksellers and librarians the right to be heard in court.

The full text of the letter may be found at: http://www.freeexpression.org/ftrpa.htm.

To read H.R. 1157, go to http://thomas.loc.gov and enter HR1157 into the Bill number search box.

Posted May 18, 2003