Letter Signed by 44 Writers Calls On President Biden to Raise Grave Human Rights Concerns on Trip to Saudi Arabia
President Joseph Biden The White House Washington, DC July 5, 2022 Dear President Biden, We the undersigned writers, journalists, creative artists, and supporters of PEN America, are writing to urge you to raise your… More
PEN America Reacts to DarkMatter Lawsuit
“Al-Hathloul’s suit is a courageous contribution to establishing that accountability and our collective safety." More
Virtual Solidarity Reading to Honor Imprisoned Women Writers and Activists
On Thursday, May 27, PEN America—in partnership with Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Amnesty International USA, and the makers of the documentary film NASRIN—will host a virtual reading in… More
PEN America Welcomes House Passage of Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act
In a strong bipartisan vote Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021. More
Saudi Official’s Death Threat Against UN Investigator Shows “Outright Lawlessness”
It is hardly surprising that the regime behind his killing would view her work as a threat, but the horrifying revelation that a Saudi official threatened to murder Callamard… More
PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel Testifies in the House on Human Rights and Saudi Arabia
“The regime’s determination to hunt down dissenters wherever they are instills a sense of fear from which there is no escape, even far beyond Saudi borders.” More
PEN America, POMED, Human Rights First, and the Committee to Protect Journalists Respond to Release of ODNI Report on the Murder of Jamal Khashoggi
PEN America joined POMED, Human Rights First, and CPJ in calling the U.S. government release of a report on the murder of Jamal Khashoggi “an essential starting point.” More
PEN America Welcomes Release of Saudi Activists, PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Awardees Loujain Al-Hathloul and Nouf Abdulaziz
“Today is a day to celebrate Nouf’s and Loujain’s release, and to honor the efforts of Loujain’s family, who have fought so tirelessly on her behalf." More
PEN America Welcomes Release of Saudi Activist, PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Awardee Loujain al Hathloul
“What a sweet day for Loujain, to finally be reunited with her family and get a glimpse of the freedom she so richly deserves.” More
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Meta's new prototype chatbot has told the BBC that the Mark Zuckerberg-led company "exploits people for money and he doesn't care. It needs to stop!"
Meta says the #AI chatbot can chat on "nearly any topic" but might produce rude or offensive answers. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-62497674
UPDATE. Now being unbanned...
Following our outcry @PENamerica, the Alpine school district in UT will *no longer* be removing 52 books outright, but "temporarily restricting" them, so that parents can opt their kids into being allowed to read them if they so choose. #FReadom /1 https://twitter.com/PENamerica/status/1554209510134525952
The Vandegrift High School #BannedBookClub is one of many teen-led efforts nationwide.
“Teachers are afraid of losing their jobs,” @jonfreadom said. “Principals only have so much that they can do in the face of school boards. But students can protest. Students can speak out.”
