The Color Purple, by Alice Walker, 1984 by George Orwell and Howl, by Allen Ginsberg were all banned books at some point in recent history.

Banning books is traditionally a form of censorship usually for political, moral or political reasons. It's also represents the elimination of free and open access to information.

This week the Vegas Valley Book Festival and the ACLU celebrate free and open access to information and explore censorship and the importance of artistic freedom at its event Uncensored Voices: Celebrating Literary Freedom.

Authors and community leaders will gather to read from a selection of previously banned books at the event. Wetalk with a few of those readers.

GUESTS
Timothy O'Grady, Bennett Fellow, UNLV Black Mountain Inst
Xuan Carlos Espinoza-Cuellar, student/activist, he will be reading a passage from Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo AnayaMe, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya