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Booklash: Literary Freedom, Online Outrage, and Language of Harm
We need to engage in free debate about books without denying readers the opportunity to read these books and come to their own conclusions. More
PEN America: “Appalling” and “Dangerous” Move by Florida to Cut AP Psychology Course
Freedom to Read Program Director Kasey Meehan said: “It is appalling but not surprising that Florida would attempt to gut a critical curriculum just weeks before school begins. This… More
These Books Are Banned in Urbandale, Iowa School District
PEN America sent an open letter to the Urbandale, Iowa school district to reverse an order to remove a list of nearly 400 titles. Here are some of the… More
Hundreds of Books Targeted for Removal in Iowa School District Over New ‘Age Appropriate” Law
“Our letter to Urbandale Community School District signals to district leaders and others across the state that ‘broad interpretations’ of vague laws threaten the freedom to read for students… More
PEN America: Trump’s Lawyers’ First Amendment Assertions on Indictment Are “Bogus” and “Readily Debunked”
“Donald Trump's legal team's assertion of a First Amendment defense to four charges of felony conspiracy, including to defraud the United States and obstruct an official proceeding is as bogus… More
Eddie Ndopu | The PEN Ten Interview
We need to save ourselves. We need to show ourselves the kind of tenderness and compassion that we know deep down we deserve. More
PEN America Publishes Fifth DREAMing Out Loud Anthology: Original Essays, Poems, Short Stories, Plays From Migrant Authors in New York City
“These are voices that deserve to be recognized, championed, and taken into our hearts,” said Jared Jackson, director of Literary Programs and Emerging Voices. “Their stories are unique and… More
PEN America Joins More Than 60 NGOs Calling for Release of Chinese Lawyer Detained in Laos
“We call on third party governments to ask Lao authorities to immediately halt Lu Siwei’s repatriation and to move quickly to ensure he has access to the relevant UN… More
Crackdown on Free Expression and Dissent Widens in Tunisia, With Arrest of Poet and Scholar Sami Dhibi Over a Facebook Post
Justin Shilad, Middle East and North Africa research and advocacy lead at PEN America, said: “Dhibi’s arrest is a sign of a government afraid of its own people, and… More
NGOs Call on Governments & Lao Authorities to Ensure the Immediate Release of Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Lu Siwei
We urge third party governments to publicly call on Chinese authorities to drop any potential charges against Lu Siwei. More