Disruption and Harassment at Riley Gaines Speaking Event Made a “Mockery” of Free Speech
“What happened at SFSU was a disaster,” said Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager in free expression and education. “Physical intimidation or violence is never an acceptable response to speech, no… More
Closing of Art Exhibit about Racism at Arkansas Tech U Deprives Campus of Opportunity to Engage with it
Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager in the Free Expression and Education program, made the following comments: “That art dealing with racism in America has impacted viewers in different ways is understandable.… More
Blanket Ban on Indoor Protest at U of Florida Amounts to “Prior Restraint on Dissent”
"Of course, we hope that protesters will not shut down, shout down, or obstruct speech, but argument and protest have their place on campuses, even when they grow heated.… More
Protest Over Books by Amazon Workers Was “Counterproductive” By Silencing Celebrants at a Pride Month Event
“Workers at Amazon have a right to protest the sale of books they find objectionable. But doing so at a company event celebrating the start of Pride Month through… More
Cuban Authorities Lock Down Would-Be Protesters
State security forces in Cuba today prevented demonstrators from taking part in a planned rally to protest ongoing repression and persecution on the island, barricading artists, journalists, and activists… More
New York County Passes Law Allowing Police to Sue Protesters
The Nassau County legislature in Long Island, New York this week passed a bill that would allow police officers to sue individuals who they believe harassed, menaced, assaulted or… More
The PEN Pod: On Spyware Scandals, Olympic Protests, and Tackling Disinformation
“We have said a number of times in a number of contexts that athletes don’t lose their right to free expression when they put on their uniform.” More
Cracking Down on Creative Voices: Turkey’s Silencing of Writers, Intellectuals, and Artists Five Years After the Failed Coup
PEN America outlines the legal mechanisms that the Turkish government has used to silence writers, activists, artists, academics, and creative professionals. More
PEN America Finds Surge in Anti-Protest Bills as State Legislators Escalate First Amendment Crackdown
State lawmakers across the country have accelerated their crackdown on constitutionally-protected protests, proposing a wave of legislation over the past year that would heap fines, fees, and criminal penalties… More
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