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PEN America and PEN International Denounce Book Removals From Hong Kong’s Public Libraries

Press ReleaseMay 17, 2023

“We have been following with alarm the ongoing removal of books from Hong Kong’s public library system. The right to access literature with a diversity of thought and opinion… More

PEN America Urges Tennessee Gov. Lee to Reject Legislation that Would Subject Publishers and Book Distributors to Criminal Penalties for ‘Obscene Materials’ Sent to Public Schools

Press ReleaseApril 19, 2023

Jonathan Friedman, director of PEN America’s Free Expression and Education program, issued the following comments on the bill: "Regardless of what the supporters of this law say, it serves little… More

Scheduled Vote to Close Library Sends an Alarming Message that Government Can Choose What People Read

Press ReleaseApril 12, 2023

Kasey Meehan, program director, Freedom to Read project at PEN America, issued the following statement: “The proposal to close the Llano library system is not only an end-run to avoid… More

Book Bans Are a Fact of Life for Incarcerated People. They Shouldn’t Be. We Can All Fight Back

analysisMarch 14, 2023

Tell the New York City Board to Corrections Not to Restrict Book Deliveries to Prisoners By Moira Marquis In Texas, Kwaneta* is denied a copy of Good Housekeeping magazine because mailroom… More

Good News that Wentzville School District Returns 200 Temporarily Banned Books to Shelves But PEN America Raises Concern that 17 Removed Books Are Still Inaccessible

Press ReleaseDecember 22, 2022

“When legislation and threats of criminalization are enacted without guidelines, what we see are librarians and school officials operating out of fear and excess caution,” said Kasey Meehan, program… More

Sweeping Ban on Certain Topics for Library Books in League City, TX has “Harmful Implications”

Press ReleaseDecember 9, 2022

Jonathan Friedman, director of Free Expression and Education programs at PEN America, issued the following comments: "Restricting the purchase and circulation of library materials by government edict is anathema to… More

PEN America Urges NO Vote By Greenville, S.C. County Council on Vaguely-Worded Resolution to Censor Childrens’ Books in Libraries

Press ReleaseNovember 1, 2022

Jonathan Friedman, director of PEN America’s Free Expression and Education program, made the following comments: “If passed, this resolution would be an exercise in censorship--ordering the Greenville County Library System… More

Virginia State Judge Affirms First Amendment Rights in Ruling on Obscenity Lawsuit Targeting Books

Press ReleaseAugust 31, 2022

“This decision is a victory for our Constitution and the vast majority of Americans who believe in preserving a free society and unfettered access to literature. The open exchange… More

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  • What's New
PEN America Condemns Transnational Repression of Chinese Political Cartoonist Badiucao in Poland
PEN America Calls for Immediate Release of Iranian Cartoonist Arrested After Posting a Satirical Cartoon on Instagram
White House Announcement of Anti-Book Ban Coordinator Treats Crisis with Deserved Seriousness
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression This Week

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