Cracks in the Facade: Lessons Learned From Florida’s Ongoing Censorship Campaign
Florida's strategies rooted in censorship and the weakening of public education are proving damaging and unpopular. More
New PEN America Analysis Points to Cracks in Florida’s Censorship Campaign
Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America’s Florida office, said: “By continuing to pass bills that are a knife to the heart of our Constitutional protections, Florida lawmakers are not… More
Anti-Diversity Law Will Inflict Harm Across Florida
The Florida legislature’s passage of SB 266 and the Board of Governors (BOG) and Florida College System (FCS)’s adoption of implementing regulations will continue to inflict harm across Florida’s… More
Yes, Florida Bans Books: Why Can’t Gov. Ron DeSantis Read His Own List?
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed that book bans in his state were a “false narrative.” Don’t take our word for it that Florida bans books – take DeSantis’. More
New Reports: California and Florida Push the Nation in Opposing Directions on Free Expression
Katie Blankenship, a former ACLU of Florida litigator who this month became PEN America’s inaugural director in the state, said: “Gov. DeSantis and the legislature have launched a legislative… More
The Florida Effect: How the Sunshine State is Driving the Conservative Agenda on Free Expression
Florida’s legislative proposals have been picked up and replicated around the nation, providing a blueprint for how to suppress Americans’ speech. More
PEN America Names Katie Blankenship to New Position as Florida Director
“Katie is the proven leader and advocate we need to expand our effort to protect the freedoms to read and learn in Florida,” said PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel.… More
More Than 300 Book Titles Banned by Collier County, FL, Including Literary Classics by Aldous Huxley, Ralph Ellison and Joseph Heller
“We are saddened for the students of Collier County Public Schools that so many titles, including renowned literary classics and contemporary young adult works are banned from student access,”… More
Citing Grave Free Speech Concerns, PEN America Rejects Florida Campus Ban on Students for Justice in Palestine
Jonathan Friedman, director of Free Expression and Education Programs, issued the following statement: "This policy is part of a pattern from the Florida government, ready to cast aside free speech… More
Decision Not to Renew Lone US History Professor’s Contract at New College of Florida— in Effect, Firing Him— Is “An Affront to Academic Freedom,” Says PEN America
Jeremy C. Young, Freedom to Learn program director at PEN America, released the following statement: “The effective firing of Erik Wallenberg, after his job was threatened publicly by a trustee… More