News & Analysis
The latest news and analysis from PEN America’s research and advocacy.
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Press Releases • Commentary
PEN America Warns of Likely Legal Challenges to Bill Putting Restrictions on Social Media Use by Young People
Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America Florida, said: “Governor DeSantis has voiced concerns about this measure in the past, vetoing the first version of this bill, HB1. The changes… More
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression The Week of March 4
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
PEN America: Passage of Teacher Training Bill by Florida Senate is a Giant Leap in the Wrong Direction
Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America Florida, said: “HB 1291 is nothing but an educational gag order that muzzles professors on ideas and concepts at both public and private… More
PEN America Applauds 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling Affirming Injunction of Florida’s Stop WOKE Act
Elly Brinkley, staff attorney with PEN America, said: “We are gratified that the court recognized that government should have no role in deciding how employers can or should limit… More
Free Speech and Other Organizations Urge Florida Lawmakers to Oppose Bill Banning Youth from Social Media
We know social media sites can present significant risks to minors, but the state’s response to such risks should be tailored to minimize harm, not passing measures that violate… More
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression The Week of February 26
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
PEN America Condemns UC Berkeley Protests that Turned Violent, with Reported Antisemitic Bigotry
“The violent protests and reports of antisemitic bigotry that led to the event cancellation are abhorrent,” said Jonathan Friedman, director of free expression and education programs at PEN America.… More
PEN America Urges University of Houston to Reschedule Talk by Artist Shahzia Sikander and Show Her Film
PEN America’s senior manager for Free Expression and Education, said: “Artistic freedom is not optional on college campuses. As a public university, the University of Houston has an obligation… More
Calls by Lawmakers to Disband LGBTQ Studies and Remove “Critical Race Theory” at Texas A & M
Jeremy C. Young, Freedom to Learn program director at PEN America, said in response: “This level of ideological meddling into the affairs of a university by politicians is frightening.… More
Coalition of 20 Groups Press Lawmakers to Reject Florida Teacher Training Bill
“This bill is as dystopian as the original Stop WOKE Act, and would undermine teacher training across key classroom topics, from history and literature to social studies and current… More