Introducing The Freewrite Project Zine
PEN America’s Prison and Justice Writing Program presents a zine featuring work from creative writing workshop participants in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The workshops were framed around curriculum developed… More
PEN America Condemns Six-Year Prison Sentence for Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi and Calls on Iran to Release Him Immediately
Julie Trebault, director of PEN America’s Artists at Risk Connection, said: “The severe sentence imposed on Salehi is a stark example of the Iranian authorities' brutal actions. Persecuting musicians… More
On Prison Art and Music
PEN America Prison and Justice Writing Program Manager Robbie Pollock highlights three projects centered on making music from prison: Heartbeat Opera, Die Jim Crow Records, and a recent book… More
Artists at Risk Connection Condemns “Cruel” Detention of Iranian Musician for Sharing a Poem in Support of the Mahsa Amini Protests
Julie Trébault, ARC director, said: “Today, our hearts are with Mona Borzouei, who has been cruelly detained for simply sharing a poem with her fellow Iranians. We call for… More
Record Label Die Jim Crow Gives Incarcerated Artists the Spotlight
PEN America intern Tomás Miriti Pacheco features Die Jim Crow Records, the first record label dedicated to incarcerated artists in the United States. More
Open Letter: New York Literary Organizations Support ‘Rap Music on Trial’ Legislation
On behalf of New York City’s literary community and supporters, we express our strong support of the proposed “Rap Music on Trial” legislation. More
PEN America Condemns Arbitrary Arrest and Sentencing of Cuban Rapper
“These newest charges simply demonstrate the extent to which the Cuban government will go to silence critical artists.” More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Valzhyna Mort
“I write in English to make the Belarusian experience visible in it. . . [and] I write in Belarusian because, to put it briefly, it’s the most badass language… More
‘Antibodies’ Original Song Channels Fight for Free Expression
“While these two artists come from separate musical traditions and backgrounds, both have found a measure of solidarity in standing for human rights and freedom amid a difficult global… More