DATE: Saturday, November 29, 1997 TAG: 9711290179 SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL SOURCE: BY PAM STARR, STAFF WRITER DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 57 lines
About one dozen protesters stepped up their campaign Friday against Barnes & Noble Booksellers for stocking several books that they say contain child pornography.
It was the second time since September that protesters have marched outside the Pembroke store. They vow to continue each week through the Christmas season, also hitting stores in Chesapeake and Newport News.
They want the retailer to stop selling three books by Jock Sturges - ``Radiant Identities,'' ``The Last Days of Summer'' and ``The Age of Innocence'' - as well as ``A Place in the Sun,'' by David Hamilton, and ``Immediate Family,'' by Sally Mann. The photographic essays show naked children and adults in various poses.
Local efforts are part of a national crusade against Barnes & Noble begun by syndicated radio host and Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry, who gained fame for his protests against abortion clinics. The outcry against Barnes & Noble gained momentum last week after a grand jury in Franklin, Tenn., indicted the company for violating that state's obscenity laws.
The jury said the books are in violation because minors can get to them without restrictions. The books are displayed nationwide in the stores' photography sections.
Protesters outside the Pembroke store Friday carried poster-sized pictures of photographs in the books and handed out fliers depicting photos and words from the books. Genitalia shown in the photos were blacked out.
Protester Steve Rubenstein was rebuffed more often than not by passers-by, but he kept plugging his lines.
``Why aren't the courts enforcing the fact that bookstores can't sell a Playboy over the counter, but they can sell these books to anyone?'' he asked. ``Who makes the distinction whether it's art or pornography? That's what I can't understand.''
Frank Lyman, who organized the local protest, said he is elated by the Tennessee indictments, and plans to look through the Virginia Code to see which pictures can be considered lewd.
Customers outside the store Friday appeared unconcerned about the protesters' charges.
Store manager Ruth Street would not comment on the protest. She had released a statement in September that said, in part, ``We follow community standards as expressed through federal, state and local legislation.''
Rubenstein said the Sally Mann book is ``really sick'' and ``caters to someone with a sick mind. Pedophiles use these books to lure children.''
One shopper shook his head at the protesters as he entered the store.
``Don't you have anything better to do?'' he yelled.
A female protester didn't hesitate.
``Yes, I do,'' she answered. ``I have children!'' ILLUSTRATION: HUY NGUYEN/The Virginian-Pilot
Christine Ross, left, holds a sign showing a photograph from a book
sold by Barnes & Noble in Virginia Beach. The demonstrators say they
will continue the protests each week through the Christmas season.
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