Slashing All Arts and Culture Funding in Florida Will Stifle Free/Creative Expression
“A state with an emaciated arts sphere, where books are already banned and classroom dialogue is stifled, is one that is in danger of abandoning freedom of expression altogether,”… More
Hadar Harris, Human Rights Lawyer, Named Managing Director of PEN America’s Washington, D.C. Office
“I am thrilled to join PEN America at this critical moment,” said Harris. “Free expression is core to free and open societies and writers are at its forefront. At… More
Champions of Free and Creative Expression Join PEN America in Tribute to Music Icon Paul Simon and Wall Street Journal Publisher Almar Latour at Annual NYC Literary Gala
Paul Simon said: “We've learned that the cause we are supporting tonight -- PEN's valid commitment to protect writers everywhere from censorship, coercion and imprisonment -- is more urgently… More
Iranian Dissident Rapper Toomaj Salehi Sentenced to Death
(NEW YORK) – Artists at Risk Connection (ARC), PEN America, and Index on Censorship strongly condemn the death sentence imposed on Iranian rapper and human rights defender Toomaj Salehi… More
A Letter from the President of PEN America: American Authors Demand a Second Draft of PEN America, and the World in Which We Write
What does it mean when some authors would rather silence themselves than be associated with an organization that defends free speech and dissent? More
Settlement Allows Teachers to Discuss Sexual Orientation in Florida Classrooms
“This is a step in the right direction, but the fight against this dangerous law continues-- learning about diverse families should not be off-limits in Florida schools,” said Katie… More
Censorship Proposals Largely Fail in the Florida Legislature
“Floridians fought hard for these victories. This is the product of parents, students, teachers, grassroots organizations, and legislators deciding that Florida has had enough state censorship." More
Russia Places Best-Selling Novelist Boris Akunin on its Wanted List
(NEW YORK) -- PEN America condemns the Russian government for placing London-based Grigory Chkhartishvili, better known under his pen name Boris Akunin, on its wanted list for alleged criminal… More
Champions of Higher Education Unite to Fight Educational Censorship
PEN America was joined by 13 former college presidents for a summit to discuss legislative assaults on higher education and what academics and their allies can do to fight… More
Khaled Hosseini Shares Heartfelt Letter to Book Banners
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini was returned to shelves in Brevard County, Florida. Hosseini wrote a letter to the school board citing the letters he receives from students… More