On October 12, 2025, Springfield marked 'Let Freedom Read Day' with a pop-up event at Mother’s Brewing Company, celebrating Banned Books Week and the importance of intellectual freedom.

This event was part of Banned Books Week, an initiative organized by the American Library Association to raise awareness about censorship and the vital role of free access to diverse ideas.

Hosted by Vote 417, the event featured classic books that have faced bans, including 'Fahrenheit 451,' 'The Diary of Anne Frank,' and 'Huckleberry Finn,' highlighting the ongoing battle against censorship.

Jacob Brower, co-founder of Vote 417, emphasized that the event aimed to demonstrate that ideas should not be off-limits and to celebrate the fundamental freedom to choose reading materials.

To encourage participation, the first 25 visitors received a free banned book, underscoring the importance of free access to diverse ideas.