"In the first half of this school year alone, 1,477 books were banned nationally, with teachers and librarians threatened with prison time for shelving the wrong book. As state leaders elected to represent the values of all Californians, we offer our response in one shared voice: Access to books -- including books that reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of Californians, and especially, those that may challenge us to grapple with uncomfortable truths -- is a profound freedom we all must protect and cultivate."