PEN American Center condemns the attack on a free speech event in Denmark today. Gunmen fired on a Copenhagen cafe hosting an event on art, blasphemy and free expression in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks, organized by Swedish artist Lars Vilks, who has faced death threats for his caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. At least one person was killed, and numerous injuries have been reported.
“We are outraged that someone would commit murder in an effort to shut down dialogue about free speech,” said Suzanne Nossel, Executive Director of PEN American Center. “Attacking an event whose purpose was to foster dialogue about free speech and creative freedom after the Charlie Hebdo massacre is an effort to stoke fear and thereby silence a desperately needed worldwide conversation about the importance and the challenges of free speech.”