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Damascus James on Witnessing, Letter Writing, and Solitary Confinement
Damascus James, editor of "TEXAS LETTERS," speaks with PEN America's "Works of Justice" podcast about what he learned from people who are in solitary confinement in Texas prisons. More
A Letter to the Pinellas County School Board
We ask that you cancel the upcoming Library Media Review and instead examine your guidance and procedures that encouraged your team to second guess this diverse and celebrated list… More
In Aftermath of Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action, Higher Ed Must Continue to Value and Support Diversity
“The mission of the university is best served by a diversity of views, experiences, and identities. To the extent that the Court’s decision weakens the ability of colleges and… More
New Report: To Reduce Online Abuse, Social Media Platforms Must Overhaul Flawed System for Users to Report Harassment and Threats
Viktorya Vilk, director for digital safety and free expression at PEN America and the report co-author, said: “The mechanisms for reporting abuse are deeply flawed and further traumatize and… More
PEN America Rejects Calls to Cancel Venue for Moms for Liberty Conference in Philadelphia
Moms For Liberty play a central role in promoting efforts to ban books, to suppress ideas and information in schools, to erase LGBTQ+ identities from bookshelves and classrooms, and… More
Pride Month: A Banned Book Reading List
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
The PEN Ten: An Interview with aracelis girmay
I understand this work to be part of an ongoing practice of the sharing and listening that happens on telephones, in laundry rooms, before the altars, and in the… More
Shouting into the Void: Why Reporting Abuse to Social Media Platforms Is So Hard and How to Fix It
The technology companies that run social media platforms, where so much of online abuse plays out, are failing to protect and support their users. More
PEN America Calls Supreme Court Decision in Counterman v. Colorado an “Important and Necessary Protection for Free Expression”
“Nevertheless,” Ruane said, “we would have preferred a more speech-protective standard than the one announced today for true threats. The recklessness standard, appropriate for a stalking case or other… More
New Report Calls for Greater Protections for Threatened Artists on the Frontlines of Social and Political Change Worldwide
“With their unique ability to challenge dominant narratives, bring people together, and foster hope in a brighter future, socially engaged artists are a critical part of the battle to… More