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Nearly 3,400 Books Were Banned in Iowa
Schools across Iowa pulled at least 3,400 books – including Captain Underpants, the Holocaust memoirs Maus, dozens of classics, and books written for young readers. More
Firing of Adjunct Instructor at DePaul University Over Use of Words About Palestine Violates Academic Freedom
Kristen Shahverdian, program director for campus free speech at PEN America, said: “This is a clear cut violation of academic freedom. Adjunct faculty should enjoy the same freedoms as… More
Georgia’s New Foreign Agent Law Puts Right to Dissent at Risk
Georgia’s new foreign agent bill, signed into law on Monday despite prolonged and passionate public outcry and a presidential veto, threatens writers, artists, and other cultural workers who express… More
Major Writers for Children and Young Adults Among Over 380 Authors Calling on South Carolina Lawmakers to Reject Restrictions to Evaluate Books in Public Schools
Along with publishers Hachette Book Group, MacMillan, and Penguin Random House, signers include ACLU of South Carolina, Authors Against Book Bans, Every Library, National Coalition Against Censorship, National Women’s… More
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression The Week of May 20
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
Fighting Disinformation Can be Simple
About practices that can support journalists in combating disinformation, many respondents reported their newsrooms don't implement them. More
PEN America Alarmed by Images of Israeli Soldiers with Burning Books
PEN America is outraged by images of an Israeli soldier setting fire to books in a library in Gaza. More
Disproportionate Use of Force Against Peaceful Student Protesters in Florida Cannot Stand, Coalition Says
Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America Florida, said: “Student protests on Florida campuses have rarely been met with this level of unnecessary hostility and violence. Even when it involves… More
Paul Simon’s Remarks Accepting the 2024 PEN/Audible Literary Service Award
Paul Simon accepted the 2024 PEN/Audible Literary Service Award with his song "American Tune" to reflect on a new era, and arguing there is hope for a better future… More
Georgia Election Workers Remarks at the 2024 PEN America Literary Gala
“Everyone working on behalf of our democracy seems to be absorbing hate from those who can’t abide the will of the voters. But they will not win." More