I’m no comic book connoisseur, but I can appreciate the art form. Last weekend, I looked at the corner of 13th and Broadway and realized Forbidden Planet had been replaced by a mall-type Journeys store, and I pictured a world with no comic books and I was crestfallen. (It didn’t close, it just moved, thankfully.) The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund exists to make sure that never happens.
The non-profit is dedicated to protecting the First Amendment rights of the comics medium and provides legal defense of individuals whose First Amendment rights are threatened for making, selling, or even reading comic books. (Can you imagine?) The CBLDF is raising money to cover the legal fees of Ryan Matheson, an American citizen who was arrested in Canada and charged with importing child pornography for having manga images on his laptop. The case cost $75,000, the Fund has covered $30,000 and is trying to raise an additional $40k
The CBLDF is looking for volunteers for this weekend (as well as next Monday and Tuesday) to help with an end-of-year mailing at their offices in Midtown. They need people from 10am-5pm (with an hour break for lunch and hanging out) on Saturday (12/8), Sunday (12/9), Monday (12/10) and Tuesday (12/11). Volunteers for all or part of the day are welcome.
Volunteers get a sweet gift bag including an assortment of comics, featuring the CBLDF Liberty Annual 2012 limited edition variant cover by Gabriel Ba or Terry Dodson (only available through the CBLDF), and a CBLDF branded water bottle. You’ll also get the satisfaction that comes with protecting the First Amendment and the freedom to read, write, draw, publish, and sell comics. Email Dave Grilli to sign up. Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is located at 255 W. 36th Street, Suite 501 New York, NY 10018