In Christian Evangelical Web Designer Case, PEN America Voices Concern that Supreme Court Ruling Overlooks Risk of Legitimizing Unlawful Discrimination in the Name of Religious Freedom
"As a free expression organization, PEN America stands against efforts to censor speakers on the basis of viewpoint or to compel speech. When a business entity offering a public… More
PEN America Legal Filing Argues that Florida’s Stop WOKE Act is Unconstitutional
“Florida’s ‘Stop W.O.K.E.’ Act impedes the robust exchange of ideas that is foundational to our education system and our democracy,” said Kate Ruane, Sy Syms director of the U.S.… More
PEN America and 3 Other Free Speech Groups File Amicus Brief in 1st Amendment Herndon v. Netflix Case
Kate Ruane, Sy Syms director of the U.S. Free Expression programs at PEN America, said: “Understandably it is difficult to adhere to principles when faced with a tragedy like… More
PEN America Defends as Protected Speech a City University of New York Law Student’s Commencement Criticism of Israel and New York Police
Universities must be places where ideas can flow freely, especially political commentary. More
PEN America: Sweeping Ban on Drag Performances in Montana In Effect Criminalizes a Wide Range of Artistic Choices
Jonathan Friedman, director of PEN America’s Free Expression and Education Programs, said: “In their effort to censor drag and LGBTQ+ expression, Montana legislators have enacted a law that is… More
PEN America v. Escambia County School District
This lawsuit brings together authors whose books have been banned and parents and students in the district who cannot access the books in a first of its kind challenge… More
New Report: 28% Rise in School Book Bans Over First Half of 2022-23 School Year
“The heavy-handed tactics of state legislators are mandating book bans, plain and simple,” said Suzanne Nossel, Chief Executive Officer of PEN America. “Some politicians like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis… More
Protecting Free Speech on College Campuses is Essential to Preserving Academic Freedom, Says PEN America CEO
“Students often lack awareness of the First Amendment or the precepts of academic freedom, sometimes believing that the best answer to noxious ideas is to drown them out, or… More
PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel Testimony Before Congress on Protecting Free Speech on College Campuses
House Committee on Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Hearing on “Diversity of Thought: Protecting Free Speech on College Campuses" * Statement of Suzanne Nossel, Chief… More
PEN America: U.S. Is Experiencing the Biggest Attack on First Amendment Rights ‘in Generations’
PEN America testified that the United States is experiencing "the broadest attack on First Amendment rights in schools and universities this country has seen in generations." More