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EveryLibrary and PEN America Oppose Proposed Huntington Beach, CA Ordinance for Community Review of Children’s Library Books
In a statement, the organizations said: “This proposed ordinance is nothing short of an effort to erect a censorship committee to police public access to literature. It has the… More
Joint Letter: Extend the mandates of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran
International human rights organizations call on Member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council to renew the mandates of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission and Special Rapporteur on… More
PEN America urges extension of Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Iran
PEN America joins a coalition of Iranian and international human rights organizations calling on the UN’s Human Rights Council to extend the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission… More
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression The Week of March 11
PEN America works tirelessly to defend free expression, support persecuted writers, and promote literary culture. Here are some of the latest ways PEN America is speaking out. More
PEN America Applauds Reintroduction of the Building Civic Bridges Act
“Free expression thrives best across difference,” said Laura Schroeder, Congressional Affairs lead at PEN America. “The Building Civic Bridges Act’s support of community-based organizations at the forefront of repairing… More
New Book Examines Why Reading Matters in America’s Prisons and How Ordinary Citizens Can Make a Difference
The book is a collection of inspiring stories from the prison book movement and a guide for people who want to swell its ranks. More
PEN America Helps Win Victories Against Censorship in Florida’s 2024 Legislative Session
PEN America had a direct hand in making sure several Florida “culture war” bills failed without becoming law, keeping censorship from infringing on free speech and free expression. More
PEN America: U.S. Ban on TikTok Takes a “Sledgehammer” Approach to the Challenge of Security and Safety Concerns Online
“Banning TikTok establishes an alarming precedent for addressing legitimate privacy and security risks posed by social media platforms,” said Laura Schroeder, Congressional Affairs lead. “The House has taken a… More
PEN America Statement on the Retraction of an Essay in Guernica Magazine
(NEW YORK) - In response to news that Guernica magazine retracted a personal essay by a writer living in Israel, Summer Lopez, PEN America's chief program officer of Free… More
Settlement Allows Teachers to Discuss Sexual Orientation in Florida Classrooms
“This is a step in the right direction, but the fight against this dangerous law continues-- learning about diverse families should not be off-limits in Florida schools,” said Katie… More