America Speaks
Marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
Participate in a free speech multimedia project with your ideas about free expression.
What does freedom of expression mean to you?
Add Your Voice
1
Record an audio clip
(:15 – :60 seconds)
OR
type a response
(250 words max)
2
Include your first name, last initial, age, occupation, and location in your response.
If you’d like to be listed as anonymous, include “anonymous” as your first name.
3
Submit the file using the link below or email it directly to [email protected]
What Americans are saying about free expression today
“Freedom of expression is the foundation of our shared democratic life.”
PEN America Co-CEO Summer Lopez introduces America Speaks
Free speech, free expression, the First Amendment. At PEN America, we talk about these every day. But this year, we’re creating a place to listen, too. It’s called America Speaks. It’s a new project we’re launching to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
Voices from Across America
“Freedom of expression, to me, is the first freedom—the one that lets us argue about all the rest.”
Want to hear more? New voices will be added weekly.
Follow along for the latest from America Speaks.
What We Do
PEN America celebrates literature and defends free expression.
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Book Bans
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Writers at Risk Advocacy
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Literary Awards
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Campus Free Speech
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Safety & Online Abuse
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Literary Grants
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Disinformation
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Educational Censorship
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Fellowships, Workshops & Trainings
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Prison and Justice Writing