LeVar Burton Jokes About Fighting Moms for Liberty at National Book Awards

The comment sparks controversy as the conservative group accuses the actor of threatening violence, highlighting ongoing debates over book banning in schools.

LeVar Burton, known for his role in promoting literacy on the PBS program Reading Rainbow, made a joke about fighting the conservative group Moms for Liberty during his speech at the 74th National Book Awards.
Moms for Liberty, a group started in 2021 by two Florida mothers and former school board members, has been involved in curating which books end up in school libraries and has been accused of driving book-banning efforts in school districts across the nation.
Burton's comment drew polarizing reactions on social media, with the Moms for Liberty national chapter accusing him of 'threatening physical violence against women'.
Burton has been outspoken about his disgust for Moms for Liberty, stating that 'books are being banned, words are being silenced, and writers and others who champion books are under attack'.
During the same event, over a dozen writers gathered on stage to demand a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.