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USA Today
14-05-2025
- USA Today
Man accused of burning 100 library books on Jewish, African American, LGBTQ+ topics
Man accused of burning 100 library books on Jewish, African American, LGBTQ+ topics An Ohio man has drawn widespread backlash after he reportedly checked out and then burned 100 books on Jewish history, African American history and LGBTQ+ education. The man took the books from the Beachwood branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL) in early April, only to later post a video of himself burning the books on social media, according to a May 2 police report viewed by USA TODAY. Democratic state Senator Kent Smith confirmed the subject matter of the books in a May 9 press release, saying, "I condemn this act, not only because it is a crime against our institutions and community, but also because it is fundamentally un-American." Local news sources, WKYC, Fox8 and 19 News, reported that the man had obtained a library card from the Beachwood Library on April 2 and promptly withdrew 50 books on Jewish, African American and LGBTQ+ topics. He returned on April 10 to check out 50 more, telling a librarian that his son was a member of the LGBTQ+ community and that he was looking to learn more, per local reports. Though the librarian reportedly found his behavior odd, he was not overly threatening, she told police in a report reviewed by local news outlets. The Princeton University Bridging Divides Initiative, a non-partisan research group that tracks political violence and hate crimes in the U.S., contacted the library about videos it had spotted online that appeared to have CPPL stickers. One video, made on April 3, reportedly showed the trunk of a car filled with books, accompanied by a caption about "cleansing" the libraries. Another video after the April 10 visit showed the books being burned, per local reports. The library made a report with Beachwood police and said it would send a bill for the $1,700 the books were worth once they became overdue. The Beachwood Police Department is actively investigating the incident, according to local reports. "Our department stands against antisemitism and all acts of bias-motivated crimes,' Beachwood Police Chief Dan Grispino said in a statement shared with several news stations and papers. "We are committed to vigorously investigating and prosecuting any hate-motivated incidents within the City of Beachwood. Our priority is to maintain a community that can thrive without the fear of threats of intimidation or violence." The Cuyahoga County Public Library, Princeton University Bridging Divides Initiative and Beachwood Police Department did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. Local faith group plans to donate 1,000 books Local faith leaders and members of the Interfaith Group Against Hate held a press conference on May 12, where they announced plans to collect and donate 1,000 books back to the library, or 10 books per book burned. "Our goal is to collect a thousand new books that lift up Black, Jewish, and LGBTQ+ voices and experiences, and to share those books in libraries and community organizations and congregations all over our county," Rev. Ryan Wallace of Fairmount Presbyterian Church told reporters at the conference, reported WKYC.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Un-American': Man allegedly burned dozens of books from Beachwood library, police say
BEACHWOOD, Ohio (WJW) – A man who checked out dozens of books from the Beachwood Public Library allegedly burned them in a social media video, the Beachwood Police Department said. According to the police department, the man came into the Beachwood Public Library on Shaker Boulevard on April 2 and applied for a library card. Investigators said he then checked out 50 books 'on topics including Jewish history, African American history and LGBTQ education,' the police report said. Pregnant woman, 2 children die in Kingsville Township house fire A library official told police she was later contacted by the Princeton University Bridging Divides Initiative, a group that reports suspected hate crimes online. The group told her a photo posted to social media on April 3 showed the alleged suspect with a car trunk full of books and a caption related to 'cleansing the libraries.' Beachwood police said the books in the photo had Cuyahoga County Public Library stickers on them and appeared to match the topics of those the man checked out the day before. Investigators said the man returned to the library on April 10 and checked out another 50 books and similar topics. 'During this encounter, (the man) told a librarian that his son was in the LGBTQ community, and he was trying to learn more about it,' the police report said. The librarian said his behavior was 'very odd and concerning,' but no threats were made, Beachwood police said. The Princeton University Bridging Divides Initiative later told library officials that a video posted online showed the suspect allegedly burning the books. Parents sought after Canton toddler dies Investigators said at least one of the books clearly had a Cuyahoga County Public Library sticker on it and matched one of the books the man checked out. The incident was reported to police on May 2. According to Beachwood police, the checked-out books were not overdue yet. Once overdue, library officials would make the man pay for the books. The police report said the 100 books are worth about $1,700. The police investigation is ongoing at this time. According to Beachwood Police Chief Dan Grispino, once the investigation is complete, a city prosecutor will determine if a crime was committed and if charges should be fined. 'The Beachwood Police Department is actively investigating this incident. Our department stands against antisemitism and all acts of bias-motivated crimes,' Beachwood Police Chief Dan Grispino said in a statement. 'We are committed to vigorously investigating and prosecuting any hate-motivated incidents within the City of Beachwood. Our priority is to maintain a community that can thrive without the fear of threats of intimidation or violence.' State Senator Kent Smith (D-Euclid) issued the following statement condemning the alleged book burning: 'I condemn this act, not only because it is a crime against our institutions and community, but also because it is fundamentally un-American. This nation was founded on the right to free speech and open expression, and our libraries are the embodiment of that promise. Libraries are designed to be community-based safe harbors of free thought. Libraries offer ideas. This is their fundamental role in our democracy and why they are so vital. This act of violence is not just a crime against the public catalog of literature that was destroyed, but also is a violation of the marketplace of ideas that is a bedrock principle of American life. 'This action will not be, should not be, and cannot be tolerated inside the 21st Senate District, this state, or this nation. There is no place for such hate, censorship, or intimidation in Beachwood, nor this country.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
