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Crisis of Polarization and Free Speech Over Israel and Hamas War Will be Examined at Annual General Meeting on 12/11 in New York City
A panel drawn from the worlds of culture, journalism, global affairs, and the law will look at the ripple effects of the war on these ecosystems in the United… More
PEN America: Calls for Genocide Have No Place in Reasoned Campus DIscourse
“Calls for genocide have no place in reasoned discourse. But, abhorrent as such a hypothetical may be, the First Amendment’s protections for speech extend even to deeply hateful speech,… More
PEN America: Former Trump Administration Official’s Threats Against Media are “Anathema”
"By informing the public on matters of local and national concern, journalists provide an essential check on government power. PEN America was not afraid to sue the president in… More
PEN America: “Gravely Alarmed” by Destruction and Damage to Hundreds of Culture and Educational Sites in Gaza
“Schools, libraries, mosques, churches, and cultural centers are not just buildings; they are sanctuaries of knowledge, bastions of cultural identity, and beacons of intellectual and artistic freedom. Libraries in… More
PEN America Endorses “Fight Book Bans Act” Introduced in Congress To Help School Districts with Financial Burden of Book Bans
Laura Schroeder, Congressional affairs lead for PEN America, said: “Banning books in schools is not only unpopular; it’s expensive. As school districts around the country divert resources to address… More
Artists and Authors to Join PEN America on 12/6 in Brooklyn to Celebrate its 2023 Anthology of Stories, Poems, Plays and Non-Fiction by Incarcerated Writers
Break Out is an annual community-centered staging of compelling cross-genre literary works by currently incarcerated writers. The selection of readings will be performed by a dynamic cadre of presenters.… More
PEN America Remains Concerned Over Academic Freedom at University of Arizona, Related to Suspension of Two Instructors, Despite Their Reinstatement
“We are relieved to see that the instructors have been reinstated, but we remain concerned that they will be unable to finish teaching their course this semester. It is… More
Yes, Florida Bans Books: Why Can’t Gov. Ron DeSantis Read His Own List?
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed that book bans in his state were a “false narrative.” Don’t take our word for it that Florida bans books – take DeSantis’. More
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression The Week of November 27
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 Joins Seven Other Groups to Support Lawsuit to Overturn Texas Book Ban Law as Unconstitutional
Kasey Meehan, Freedom to Read program director at PEN America, said: “We stand with Texas students in rejecting HB 900. This law, which forces private companies and public school… More