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PEN America Calls for Release of Imprisoned Iranian Writers and Artists as Anti-Government Protests Land Dissident Voices in Jail

Press ReleaseSeptember 27, 2022

“This case, emblematic of a broader crackdown on the IWA–which has consistently championed the essential right to free expression for all Iranians–is among the most egregious of the Islamic… More

Headshots of Keyvan Bajan, Baktash Abtin, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi

Iran Must Release those Unjustly Detained and Not Deny Medical Care to Prisoners, Says Coalition of Organizations led by PEN America

Press ReleaseJanuary 7, 2022

Today PEN America and eighteen other prominent human rights organizations sent a letter to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of… More

Baktash Abtin headshot

Open Letter to Supreme Leader of Iran on Baktash Abtin

Open LetterJanuary 7, 2022

PEN America and its allies call on the Supreme Leader of Iran to urgently release filmmaker and poet Baktash Abtin and all unjustly detained for their writing or expression. More

Headshots of Keyvan Bajan, Baktash Abtin, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi

PEN America Demands Release of Baktash Abtin

Press ReleaseJanuary 4, 2022

After contracting COVID-19 in prison for a second time, 2021 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write honoree Baktash Abtin is now in a medically-induced coma. More

Headshots of Keyvan Bajan, Baktash Abtin, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi

After COVID-19 Infection, PEN America Demands Iran Release Imprisoned Writers

Press ReleaseDecember 9, 2021

The literary and free expression groups PEN America and PEN Sydney issued an urgent call today for the immediate release of four Iranian writers being unjustly held in detention. More

Headshots of Keyvan Bajan, Baktash Abtin, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi

On Day Against Censorship, PEN America and PEN Sydney Call on Iran to Release Imprisoned Writers

Press ReleaseDecember 3, 2021

The literary and free expression groups PEN America and PEN Sydney issued an urgent call today for the immediate release of four Iranian writers being unjustly held in detention. More

Suzanne Nossel headshot

The PEN Pod: On Our Gala, Free Speech in Higher Ed, and Facebook Algorithms with Suzanne Nossel

InterviewOctober 8, 2021

“Nurturing the community in that way, creating these opportunities to get together, we see as part of our role at PEN America, and we were glad to be able… More

PEN America Literary Gala Makes Energizing In-Person Return, Celebrating Bold Voices in Literature, Journalism, and Free Expression

Press ReleaseOctober 6, 2021

Literary New York stood resurrected last night after an 18-month pause at PEN America’s 2021 Literary Gala, an evening celebrating luminaries who lend their voices to clarion calls for… More

Suzanne Nossel headshot

The PEN Pod: On Writer-to-Writer Solidarity and the Rise of Book Bans with Suzanne Nossel

InterviewSeptember 24, 2021

“For us, at PEN, doing a lot of work on press freedom issues. . . it’s a reminder of what we’re fighting for.” More

“2020 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award” on top; below, headshots and names of Keyvan Bajan, Baktash Abtin, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi

2021 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award: Baktash Abtin, Keyvan Bajan, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi

ProfileSeptember 16, 2021

PEN America bestows its 2021 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award on Iranian writers Baktash Abtin, Keyvan Bajan, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi. More

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_richardhall Richard Hall @_richardhall ·
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Read our story on the DeSantis book bans ⬇️ https://twitter.com/penamerica/status/1621508379586985985

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msboismier_ela Ms. Boismier, M.Ed. @msboismier_ela ·
4 Feb

🧵4/8: This week @BKLYNlibrary & @PENamerica @jonfreadom launched the 1st session in our 4-week Freedom to Read Advocacy Institute. What struck me most in that workshop session was the craving our teen participants had for community, for connection. https://tinyurl.com/yy5ek3s5

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I’m so grateful 🙏🏾💙 https://twitter.com/milescollege/status/1621903717502013442

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