NGO Spotlight: The September Project

The September Project is a grassroots organization started in 2004 focused on engaging and bringing communities together in local libraries around the world to discuss issues of freedom and democracy.

In 2004, the September Project was born "to break the silence following September 11th, and to invite all people into libraries to consider topics of patriotism, democracy, and citizenship. Initially, events focused on September 11th and largely took place on September 11th. As the project evolved, events spread throughout the month of September and focused on issues of freedom and democracy."

Americans appreciate their freedom and form of democracy, more so now in retrospect, seeing how we reacted to the cataclysmic events of September 11, 2001. 9/11 unified America like no event since the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. We joined to help the victims, rescuers, and families of the 9/11 dead by giving food, blood, and money. We also sacrificed some freedoms and civil liberties in order to achieve speed and efficiency to fight the terrorist threat. We called for retribution and we got exactly what we sought.

Unfortunately, somewhere along the line we lost site of the true enemy. We allowed our elected leaders to mislead us. We allowed ourselves to be led like lemmings on a course of action that was wrong. We invaded a country and deposed a leader that was not connected to the 9/11 attacks and for reasons that were not substantiated. We paid for it in lives, liberties, treasure, and any international goodwill we garnered from the September 11th attacks. We can not let this happen again. This is why the mission of the September Project is important.

Librarians are the true force behind the September Project. They organize, fund, and host the events. "Since 2004, over 1200 public, public, academic, school, government, and special libraries in 35 countries have hosted September Project events." Events include "book displays, community book readings, children's art project, film screenings, theatrical performances, civic deliberations, voter registrations, murals, panel discussions, and so much more."

If you wish to organize an event, contact your local library. Then inform the September Project here so they can add it to their map and list of participants. All September Project events are free and open to the public.