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New Bill in Congress on School Materials Addresses a Non-Existent Problem, But Would Instead Chill Public Education
Laura Schroeder, senior manager of legislative affairs at PEN America, said: “This bill is an intimidation tactic that seeks to address a problem that doesn’t exist. There is no… More
PEN America Launches Fund to Assist Early Career Screenwriters Facing Economic Hardship
Ayad Akhtar, PEN America’s president and a novelist, playwright and screenwriter, said: “During these difficult days, we are honored as a writers organization to do as much as we… More
As Hollywood Strikes, PEN America Lends a Hand
As the writers’ strike stretches on and many film and television writers struggle to pay their bills, PEN America is creating a Screenwriters Emergency Financial Assistance Fund to address… More
Threat by Tennessee Prosecutor to Enforce Drag Performance Ban at Pride Festival Poses a “Grave Threat” to Free Expression
“Tennessee’s Adult Entertainment Act poses a grave threat to the free expression of drag artists and LGBTQ+ Tennesseans more broadly. Even further, it is likely unconstitutional—as stated by a… More
Death Sentence for Retired Teacher Over Social Media Posts in Saudi Arabia is a “Horrifying Escalation” of the Kingdom’s Crackdown on Free Expression
Justin Shilad, Middle East and North Africa research and advocacy lead at PEN America, said: “Saudi Arabia’s sentencing Mohammed al-Ghamdi to death for posting and sharing on social media… More
CPJ, partners call on Bangladesh to dismiss Digital Security Act cases over freedom of expression
We write to seek your administration’s urgent intervention to immediately end the harassment and intimidation of journalist Adhora Yeasmean. More
PEN Tulsa Hosts Community Freedom to Read Summit Sat., 9/9
“We are at a critical crossroads in our community and state,” said PEN America Tulsa Chapter leader Jeff Martin. “Given the threats to our literary liberty from state officials… More
Stephenjohn Holgate | 2023 PEN/Robert J. Dau Prize Winner
I’m quite interested in the tensions of these things, how we are pulled in many different directions as the different bits of ourselves, musician, worker, lover and so on,… More
PEN America Condemns Arrest of Iranian Musician Mehdi Yarrahi and Subsequent Work Ban on ‘Cultural Activists’
PEN America condemns the arrest of Iranian musician Mehdi Yarrahi following the release of his song “Your Head Scarf” which protests the long-standing mandatory hijab rule imposed in the… More
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression The Week of August 21
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