PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free 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.
Over the past 100 years, PEN America has advocated for free expression, defended writers and artists at risk around the globe, and fought censorship in the United States and abroad. Our cause has been made all the more urgent by the current wave of book bans and censorship in schools. Learn how you can join us in the battle against book removals and restrictions >>
Featured Work
New Report: Book Bans Spike by 33% Over Last School Year
“The toll of the book banning movement is getting worse. More kids are losing access to books, more libraries are taking authors off the shelves, and opponents of free… More
New Report: Surge of Intrusive Legislation to Intimidate Teachers, Drive Self-Censorship in Schools
“This rising tide of educational intimidation exposes the movement that cloaks itself in the language of ‘parental rights’ for what it really is: a smoke screen for efforts to… More
