Ending Gender Studies at Florida’s New College Is a “Repressive Act,” Echoing Hungary’s Viktor Orban
Jeremy C. Young, Freedom to Learn program director at PEN America, said: “The New College board’s abolition of gender studies is a repressive act that echoes the actions of… More
Hundreds of Books Targeted for Removal in Iowa School District Over New ‘Age Appropriate” Law
“Our letter to Urbandale Community School District signals to district leaders and others across the state that ‘broad interpretations’ of vague laws threaten the freedom to read for students… More
PEN America: “Disturbing” Decision to Take Away 28 School Libraries in Houston
“To remove libraries and librarians under the guise of “transformation” is shocking and disturbing,” said Kasey Meehan, Program Director for Freedom to Read at PEN America. “School libraries and… More
Student Policy at University of Buffalo Restricting Recognition of Certain Groups is Short Sighted and Shows the Ripple Effects of Censorship, Says PEN America
Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager of Free Expression and Education at PEN America, said in response: “This ruling is not only concerning as a form of retaliation against conservative students;… More
“Misguided and Chilling” Decision by CA School Board to Fire Superintendent, Following Removal of Textbook Over Inclusion of LGBTQ+ Rights History, Says PEN America
Allison Lee, director of PEN America’s Los Angeles office, made the following comments: “By firing Dr. McClay, the Temecula board has sent a chilling message to the ranks of teachers… 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
Readings by Noted Authors Headline 6/6 Florida Event Celebrating Books Challenged in Miami-Dade County Schools, including The Hill We Climb by Poet Amanda Gorman
Jonathan Friedman, director of PEN America’s Free Expression and Education program, said: "The fact that a bogus challenge from a single individual can get books banned goes to the… More
PEN America Responds to Florida School District’s Offer to Remove LGBTQ Pages from Yearbook
"The campaign to erase LGBTQ+ identities in schools continues to reach new lows. What kind of message does it send to LGBTQ+ students and families that a superintendent would… More
Florida School District Pulls Amanda Gorman’s Widely-Praised “The Hill We Climb” from Library
“The Hill We Climb was widely praised after Amanda Gorman read it at President Biden’s inauguration. Today, access to the book has been limited for elementary students at a… More
PEN America Responds to Defunding of Kinsey Institute as Another “Alarming Step” in Effort to Exert Political Control over Higher Education
Jeremy C. Young, Freedom to Learn program director, said: “This decision should alarm anyone who cares about the integrity of higher education. It is horrifying that the Indiana legislature… More