Texas Rep. Brian Harrison has announced that the Texas Library and Archives Commission will leave the American Library Association.
“Less than one month after I requested the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to cut ties with the American Library Association, I am excited to report that they just informed me they will not renew their contract with them!” Rep. Harrison (R-Midlothian) revealed.
When ALA president Emily Drabinski was elected last year, she posted, “I just cannot believe that a Marxist lesbian who believes that collective power is possible to build and can be wielded for a better world is the president-elect of [the ALA]. I am so excited for what we will do together. Solidarity!”
Since then, multiple elected officials have called for their states to leave the ALA, and Montana already has, as reported by The Dallas Express. Rep. Harrison led the movement in Texas demanding taxpayer funds stop going to the group.
“This is a win for all Texans, and I applauded the courageous and decisive decision by Chairwoman Martha Wong,” Harrison said.
“Texas should be leading the fight against dangerous Marxist ideology — not subsidizing it with my constituents’ hard earned tax dollars,” Harrison concluded. “I’ll continue fighting to protect Texans from having their money weaponized against them, their values, and their children.”
Harrison noted that he felt Texas needed to leave the ALA because the group elected “a radical socialist and self-described ‘Marxist lesbian’ as President.”
The move was celebrated by some, with Andy Roth, the president of the State Freedom Caucus Network, saying, “Huge victory! Congrats to [Rep. Brian Harrison] for taking the lead on this. Which state is next??”
Similarly, the Texas GOP said, “This is a big victory!”
Not everyone applauded the decision, however. Social media user Margaret Ray replied to Harrison’s post, saying, “You are a disgrace to Aggies everywhere. We should revoke your degree.”
The announcement comes shortly after Midland County voted to leave the American Library Association on similar grounds, as reported by The Dallas Express.
In response to Midland County’s departure, the ALA contended to The Dallas Express that “it is a non-partisan, non-profit membership organization that develops, promotes, and improves library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.”
“Despite the decision in Midland County this week, ALA remains committed to providing essential support, resources, and opportunities for every library and library worker in every state and territory across the nation to help them better serve their communities,” the organization concluded.
The ALA had not responded to a request for comment about the Library and Archives Commission’s announcement as of the time of publication.
For more Dallas-related news, see how Tim Rogers of D Magazine was Sanctioned by a Dallas District Court.