Diamond Comic Distributors and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) announced they have raised more than $70,000 from nearly 450 comic retailers during their annual retailer membership drive.
 
A total of $70,750 was raised by over 440 comic book specialty retailers joining or renewing their CBLDF membership through Diamond, due to a campaign held during the duration of the September 2014 Previews catalog solicitation period.   Retailers were offered several valuable premiums with membership (see "'Cap,' 'Wytches,' and 'Multiversity' Variants").  This year, 17 retailers joined at the "Champion" level, donating $1000 each to CBLDF.

"Since the Retailer Membership program was launched in 2009, the number of Member Stores has increased 109%, and the volume of donations has increased 155%," said CBLDF Deputy Director Alex Cox. "That's amazing growth, and it proves again that the Local Comic Shop leads the way in protecting Free Speech in this awesome community.  More than 20% of the comic shops in the US are CBLDF Member Stores, with more overseas, and it reminds us that after 25 years, the CBLDF can always count on the support of these shops, who have helped us grow the organization into what it is today."
 
The CBLDF is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the First Amendment rights of the comics medium by providing legal defense for First Amendment cases affecting comic book stores, libraries, and industry partners.