• by Ray Schultz , September 20, 2023

The New Republic, a magazine devoted to political and cultural commentary and reporting since its founding in 1914, has launched an initiative in support of the First Amendment: The Banned Books Tour 2023. 

The effort coincides with the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week, running from Oct. 1-7.

The New Republic’s bookmobile will visit states with the alleged highest incidence of book censorship, including Texas, Florida, Missouri, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. 

Produced by Inspira Marketing, the ‘Festival on Wheels,” will cover these cities:

• Brooklyn, NY 
• Pittsburgh, PA
• Washington, D.C. 
• Daytona, FL
• Tallahassee, FL
• Jacksonville, FL
• Norfolk, VA
• Springfield, MO
• Lexington, KY
• Dallas, TX 
• Austin, TX
• San Antonio, TX 

“Launching a book festival on wheels is a huge new undertaking for us, and I can’t wait to hit the road to support the importance of reading,” says Michael Caruso, CEO and publisher of The New Republic.

Caruso adds, “It’s even more exciting that we can embark in time to support ALA’s Banned Books Week. The New Republic has been a leading defender of the First Amendment for over a century, and this is a new way to give people the tools to join the fight for the freedom to read.”