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Cancelled Film on Israel Deprives a NY Campus of Important Conversation Amid Crisis
“The decision to cancel this film is totally antithetical to the principles of free expression and academic freedom to which Hunter College must adhere. At this moment of heightened… More
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression The Week of November 13
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
Native American Heritage Month – Reading List by Oscar Hokeah
The last two years have seen unmitigated attacks on LGBTQ+ content in public school libraries, with 26% of banned books featuring LGBTQ+ characters and themes. For Pride month, PEN… More
Decision by University of Southern California to Bar Professor from Teaching This Semester for Anti-Hamas Remarks is a “Shocking Overreaction,” Says PEN America
“Totally barring a professor from campus because of a passing comment like this is a shocking overreaction. Regardless of Professor Strauss’s intent, he is entitled to his views and… More
Marietta, GA School Board Upholds Ban on Flamer, Book by Mike Curato
“In September, PEN America said this policy decision would lead to censorship - and we are disturbed to find that it has. While two parents were able to ban… More
Aleksandra Skochilenko Sentenced to 7 Years for Supermarket Art Project
Russian artist, musician and author Aleksandra (Sasha) Skochilenko was sentenced to seven years in prison today for “knowingly spreading false information about the Russian Armed Forces. More
PEN America Calls on Israeli Government to Rescind Inflammatory Rhetoric, Threats Against Palestinian Journalists
(NEW YORK)—PEN America called on the Israeli government today to immediately rescind inflammatory rhetoric and threats against freelance Palestinian photojournalists who supplied news agencies with images of Hamas’ unprecedented… More
Commemorating the Day of the Imprisoned Writer
Authoritarian governments instinctively fear writers because of their ability to inspire people to interrogate the present and dream of a better future. Instead of valuing the positive role writers… More
PEN America Names Katie Blankenship to New Position as Florida Director
“Katie is the proven leader and advocate we need to expand our effort to protect the freedoms to read and learn in Florida,” said PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel.… More
Global Pop Icon P!nk Teams Up with PEN America to Give Away 2,000 Banned Books at Florida Concerts
Pop icon Pink is teaming up with PEN America and Books & Books to give away 2,000 banned books at her upcoming concerts in Florida. More