Book reading event protests censorship

Excerpts from Joseph Heller's Catch-22 and Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet were read aloud yesterday on Locust Walk, in a vigil commemorating Banned Books Week. The books were read by student volunteers in 15-minute shifts for 12 consecutive hours. The event began at 12:30 p.m. yesterday and continued until 12:30 a.m. today, according to College sophomore Sara Oremland, who independently organized the event. The featured books have all been banned or challenged at some point in various parts of the world, based on objections to their content, Oremland explained. The event was modeled after a 24-hour reading vigil taking place this week in Boston, Mass. Both events are part of Banned Books Week, sponsored annually by the American Library Association during the last week of September. Oremland staged the event to increase censorship awareness among fellow students and to celebrate the books themselves. Oremland noted that she hopes the event will "make people aware and shock people out of apathy." College junior Elliott Witney, a participant in the event, said he agreed with Oremland's goal. "I'm sick of apathy and sick of non-social groups feeling rejected from Locust Walk," Witney explained. "Activism is perceived to be lacking on campus." "It's nice to know people say [banning books] is terrible, and really mean it," Oremland said. Witney also found the event fulfilling. "Every person who walks past and says, 'I can't believe this book is banned,' makes it worth it," he said. Oremland added that she is considering a 24-hour event next year. She may also seek support in the future from student organizations, the University library system and the English Department.