Pink gave away 1,000 banned books at Miami concert. Check out photos from the giveaway

Amanda Geduld, D.A. Varela
·1 min read
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Pink concertgoers in Miami not only soaked in the international pop star’s music, they lined up to take home copies of four books banned by some school districts.

Pink teamed with PEN America to give away 1,000 books at her concert Tuesday night at the Kaseya Center in downtown Miami, including Amanda Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb” and Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye,” all of which she purchased from Books & Books in Coral Gables. She also gave away “The Family Book,” by Todd Parr, and a book from Girls Who Code, the nonprofit founded by Reshma Saujani.

“We got a lot of high fives and thank yous,” said Lisa Tolin, editorial director at PEN America, a nonprofit that advocates for freedom of expression. “A lot of teachers stopped by and talked about how hard it is now in the classroom. Many said it’s not just that they can’t read banned books — they can’t even let kids read anything above grade level.”

One third grade teacher said she couldn’t give her students the “Harry Potter” books. A second grade teacher said she loves “The Family Book,” but can’t read it to her class, according to Tolin.

Pink responded to critics of the initiative on X, formerly Twitter, calling them the “MAGA cult” and writing, “they really dislike being challenged and get even angrier when they can’t silence you. Oh well READ BANNED BOOKS!”

Check out scenes from the Pink giveaway below:

Todd Parr’s ‘The Family Book’ was one of four banned books handed out during the Pink concert Tuesday night, Nov. 14, 2023, at the Kaseya Center in downtown Miami. Pink, working with PEN America and Books & Books, gave away 1,000 books.
Todd Parr’s ‘The Family Book’ was one of four banned books handed out during the Pink concert Tuesday night, Nov. 14, 2023, at the Kaseya Center in downtown Miami. Pink, working with PEN America and Books & Books, gave away 1,000 books.
Pink purchased all 2,000 books from Books & Books in Coral Gables. She gave away 1,000 books at her Miami concert and had planned to give away another 1,000 books at her Sunrise concert on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Toni Morrison’s ‘The Bluest Eye’ has been restricted in at least 12 Florida districts, including Broward County.
Pink purchased all 2,000 books from Books & Books in Coral Gables. She gave away 1,000 books at her Miami concert and had planned to give away another 1,000 books at her Sunrise concert on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Toni Morrison’s ‘The Bluest Eye’ has been restricted in at least 12 Florida districts, including Broward County.
Yamiely and Leonardo Rayon of Coconut Grove read their new book, ‘The Family Book,’ which has been restricted in at least three Florida school districts, including Okaloosa County.
Yamiely and Leonardo Rayon of Coconut Grove read their new book, ‘The Family Book,’ which has been restricted in at least three Florida school districts, including Okaloosa County.
Tammy Darrows, 50, is handed a bag full of free books before the concert.
Tammy Darrows, 50, is handed a bag full of free books before the concert.
Pink fans Jeannette, Karen, Juliette and Kaly pose with their new books before the concert. About 1,000 books were gifted at Tuesday night’s concert in Miami. Another 1,000 will be given to concertgoers at Wednesday’s show at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.
Pink fans Jeannette, Karen, Juliette and Kaly pose with their new books before the concert. About 1,000 books were gifted at Tuesday night’s concert in Miami. Another 1,000 will be given to concertgoers at Wednesday’s show at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.