Phoenix bans Internet porn at libraries

Phoenix bans Internet porn at libraries Council vote may lead to court battle for city Ginger D. Richardson The Arizona Republic Sept. 9, 2004 12:00 AM A determined City Council declared Wednesday that pornography will no longer be available at Phoenix libraries, an action that could lead to a courtroom showdown with First Amendment advocates. Phoenix's new policy, which will filter all Internet sessions for adult users, is unusually stringent and appears to be the first of its kind among the nation's largest cities, a number of First Amendment advocates say. The new regulations, which take away library patrons' ability to surf the Web without restrictions, took effect immediately and could be implemented today. The City Council's unanimous vote disappointed many, including a visibly upset Toni Garvey, Phoenix's public library director, and prompted the local leader of the American Civil Liberties Union to say, "This will end up in the Supreme Court." Eleanor Eisenberg, executive director of the ACLU of Arizona, stopped short of saying that her organization would take the city to court in the near future but did say, "We've heard from people who are concerned about this. We have several possible plaintiffs." The threat did little to sway Mayor Phil Gordon and Vice Mayor Peggy Bilsten, who said they are fully prepared for a legal battle. USATODAY.com - Internet porn ban enacted for Phoenix libraries Internet porn ban enacted for Phoenix libraries PHOENIX (AP) — A legal battle could be brewing after the City Council enacted a new policy that bars adults from unrestricted Internet access to pornography on Phoenix library computers. The council adopted the policy Wednesday. It was prompted by last month's arrest of a child molester who told police that he had downloaded child pornography at the Phoenix Public Library.