NEW YORK—In response to news of an explosive device being sent to CNN’s offices in New York today addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan—an attempted attack that follows close on the heels of explosive devices sent to former President Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Open Society Foundations founder George Soros—PEN America issued the following statement:
“Today’s attempted attack at the CNN building in New York is a chilling reminder that threats to journalists’ lives are not limited to other parts of the world. Many questions remain about this series of attacks, but in a moment of heated political rhetoric—including the president’s praise just days ago for a violent attack on a journalist—it is incumbent on leaders of all political stripes to speak out forcefully against violence and to ardently defend the free press and the journalists who safeguard our democracy.”
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PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. pen.org
CONTACT: Anoosh Gasparian, External Relations Manager: [email protected]