“Cruel and Inhumane” Prison Sentences Imposed Without “Legal Merit” on Cuban Artist-Activists Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel “Osorbo” Castillo Pérez
Julie Trebault, the Director of the Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) at PEN America. said "This is a blow to artistic freedom in Cuba, and to the artists and… More
Human Rights Organizations Demand Immediate Freedom for Cuban Artists Facing Persecution Due to Pro-Democracy Activities
The human rights organizations strongly condemned the charges of alleged contempt, defamation, and public disorder brought against the artists, for which the Cuban Prosecutor's Office intends to sentence Otero… More
PEN America and PEN International: Grave Concern Over the Lack of Due Process Protections in Arbitrary Trials of Cuban Artist Set for May 30-31
"The arbitrary trials against two of Cuba’s most talented and outspoken artists and activists indicate nothing more than the targeted and forceful attempt by the Cuban government to silence… More
Joint Statement Condemning Charges in Cuba Against Maykel “El Osorbo” Castillo Perez and Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara
JOINT STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE CHARGES BROUGHT AGAINST MAYKEL “El OSORBO” CASTILLO PÉREZ AND LUIS MANUEL OTERO ALCÁNTARA IN CUBA [caption id="attachment_219919" align="alignright" width="300"] Maykel “El Osorbo” Castillo Perez, R,… More
PEN America Issues Urgent Call to Release Hunger Striking Cuban Artist
PEN America and PEN International today issued their pressing concern over the health of imprisoned Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. More
Cuban Artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara Released after a Month in Hospital Detention
“We emphatically call for Cuba’s governmental campaign of harassment to end, and for Cuban authorities to halt all attempts to muzzle dissent and criminalize independent artists, writers, and activists.” More
Cuban Authorities Must Release Detained Cuban Artists and Cease Harassment Campaign
On Thursday morning, Cuban police arrested four artists and one independent journalist attempting to leave their houses to participate in a demonstration in support of independent artist Luis Manuel… More
Cuban Artist Under House Arrest Begins Hunger and Thirst Strike
Independent Cuban artist and activist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara announced that he would begin a hunger and thirst strike this week after being placed under de facto house arrest.… More
PEN America Decries Detention and Apparent Assault of Cuban Artists
"Such brutal harassment merely confirms a constant trend of repression and violence toward dissident voices in Cuba." More
DARE: House Homeland Security Committee Subpoenas 8chan Owner
The House Homeland Security Committee subpoenas the owner of 8chan, the messaging forum linked to three mass shootings this year, to testify before... More
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Four years ago, #JamalKhashoggi was murdered on orders of the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Today, Saudi writers and critics are jailed for decades, as Mohammed bin Salman’s power expands. We continue to demand #JusticeForJamal and the #FreedomToWrite: https://pen.org/advocacy-case/jamal-khashoggi/
Festival Day is still on for today! All of our programs have moved INDOORS!
💔Unfortunately, we've had to cancel our Literary Marketplace due to the wind. You can still support them all online! And we look forward to having them next year!
Here at PEN America, we have long documented the threat #disinformation poses to public discourse and empowerment. To counter that threat, we launched our media literacy program, Knowing the News in 2020. https://pen.org/knowing-the-news/ (1/3)