Cuba Releases Arrested Artists; PEN America Celebrates But Demands Full Exoneration
Numerous Cuban artists were released from prison this weekend, including photographer and filmmaker Anyelo Troya, actor and poet Alexander Diego Gil, and plastic artist Carlos González. More
PEN America Decries Detention of Belarus Demonstrators Following National Strike
PEN America continues to decry the Belarusian government's arrest of demonstrators, including leading writers and other cultural figures in the country. More
PEN America Deeply Alarmed Over Belarus Election Crackdown
“The brutal official Belarusian response to peaceful protest points to why so many citizens are desperate for a restoration of their free expression rights." More
PEN America Chapters Call on City Leaders to Protect First Amendment
"Mayors and police chiefs have a responsibility to their communities to ensure that the First Amendment rights of protesters and journalists are guaranteed." More
PEN America: Governors Must Protect Journalists Covering Protests
"We’ve seen hundreds of instances over the last several weeks of reporters, photographers, and citizen journalists being attacked, jailed, or otherwise harassed for trying to report on recent demonstrations." More
PEN America’s Guide for Combating Protest Disinformation
False, misleading, and misattributed stories and images can polarize communities, unfairly damage reputations, and obscure the truth. More
Hong Kong Police Transforming Campuses Into “Militarized Citadels”
"By deploying riot police and rubber bullets and forcing students to flee for their safety, Hong Kong authorities are attacking the foundations of Hong Kong's civilization." More
Cameroonian Rapper and Activist to Appear Before Court, Could Face Death Penalty
"This is clearly a targeted attempt to silence an internationally known and beloved rapper who strives, both through his music and his activism, to critique the government and inspire… More
Arrest of Hong Kong Activists “An Assault on Activism and Protest”
“This is not the justice system in action,” said PEN America’s Tager. “Rather, this is a crackdown against critical voices whose influence the Hong Kong—and Beijing—governments fear.” More
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"Academic freedom... means ensuring that the widest possible variety of ideas and opinions can be freely expressed, and that dissenting views and contrary perspectives are welcomed rather than shut down," write @SuzanneNossel & @ACEducation's Ted Mitchell https://www.newsweek.com/this-how-keep-academic-freedom-alive-america-opinion-1789678
#TikTok: In a letter signed by PEN America, @ACLU, & @knightcolumbia, the groups urged the U.S. to avoid “an ill-advised, blanket approach that would impair free speech and set a troubling precedent that could curtail free expression worldwide." Read free: https://wapo.st/42qY7Rk