sports illustrated february cover-barnes and...
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February 9, 2015 Michael Huseby CEO Barnes & Noble 122 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10011 Re: 2015 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition Dear Mr. Huseby:
The National Center on Sexual Exploitation has reviewed the cover of the 2015 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition and urges that the magazine be removed from public display, particularly the checkout line, and be wrapped like any other pornographic magazine.
The magazine features model Hanna Davis pulling down her bikini bottom to reveal her pubic area. It is our opinion that the cover it borders obscenity, as the focus is specifically on the woman’s exposed pubic area. At a minimum, the depiction likely violates state statutes, commonly known as “harmful to minors” laws, prohibiting displays of sexually explicit material to children.
In discussing this magazine, hosts of such popular television shows as Good Morning America and Today appropriately refused show the entire cover, blocking the lower portion to avoid offending viewers. We hope that you will also avoid assaulting your customers. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Patrick A. Trueman Dawn Hawkins President & CEO Executive Director
Defending human dignity. Confronting sexual exploitation.
President and CEO
Executive Director
General Counsel
President Emeritus
Former Managing Partner, Conklin Cahill & Co
Ney Professor of Jurisprudence Amherst College
Chairman, Christian Film & Television Commission
McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University
Former Aerospace Program Manager/ Industrial Engineer
Neurosurgeon
Director, Sexual Trauma and Psychopathology Program, University of Pennsylvania
National Regent, Catholic Daughters of the Americas
Managing Director, Rucks Family Foundation
Marriage and Family Therapist
Trial and Appellate Lawyer, Sukhia Law Group, PLC
Former Chief, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, U.S. Department of Justice
Attorney at Law