CNN Arrests Took Place “For No Fathomable Reason”
"These arrests took place for no fathomable reason; the video makes plain that the crew was making every effort to accommodate any request by the officers." More
China Moves to Charge Imprisoned Australian Novelist With Espionage
PEN America speaks out against the ongoing confinement, abuse, and now pending indictment against Australian writer Yang Hengjun. More
Egyptian Writer Detained for Protesting Prison Conditions That Could Worsen COVID-19 Spread
The arrest of Ahdaf Soueif and her family is an egregious attack on free expression. More egregiously, it shows the Egyptian government’s reflexive response to the coronavirus pandemic is… More
Dissident Cuban Artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara Freed After 13 Days in Jail
“We are overjoyed to learn that Luis Manuel has been freed from jail and will be able to reunite with his friends and family and return to his work." More
PEN America Condemns Detention of Cuban Artist, Demands Charges Be Dropped
The arrest of Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara on fabricated charges is an indefensible violation of freedom of expression and basic human dignity. More
Fine Against Belarusian Writer “Violates Fundamental Right to Speak Freely”
*CORRECTION: An earlier version of this statement indicated that Arlou was arrested. He was summoned to court, fined, and charged, but not formally placed under arrest.*** (New York, NY) –… More
PEN America Condemns Renewed Saudi Crackdown Against Journalists, Activists
“The current wave of arrests reminds us that far from ceasing their brutal crackdown on free expression, the Saudi government is feeling emboldened to harass and detain even more… More
Egypt Raids Office of Independent Egyptian Journalists, Arrests Staff
"These reprehensible attacks are a clear attempt to silence what may be the last remaining bastion of independent reporting in Egypt." More
PEN America Demands Cuban Authorities Stop Harassing Cuban Writer and Activist
“For weeks, Jorge and Nancy have lived in a constant state of fear as they have been repeatedly harassed, threatened, and detained by Cuban authorities." " More
Persecuted Cuban Artist Being Held, His Location Unknown
"We call on the Cuban government to disclose Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara’s whereabouts and detention status and to release him immediately.” More
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Join us this Wednesday, Feb 1st @ 6pm as we welcome @PENamerica Birmingham in a conversation with Imani Perry, author of “South to America: A Journey Below the Mason Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation.” Scan the QR code on the flyer now to get registered.
Brought to you by @PENamerica, @MadeinNY, and @SchomburgCenter: The Literary Activism Summit will highlight the past, present, and future of Literary Activism in New York City. Reserve your spot NOW!
https://bit.ly/3HIpoGM.
Near the end of @SalmanRushdie's new novel, the narrator is blinded by an angry rival. It's eerily prescient: Rushdie lost an eye in an attack on him last year; however, the publisher says the manuscript was already completed. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2023-01-30/salman-rushdies-new-novel-victory-city-reminds-us-how-his-writing-changed-the-world