PEN America Defends as Protected Speech a City University of New York Law Student’s Commencement Criticism of Israel and New York Police
In response, Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager of free expression and education at PEN America, released the following statement: “Lawmakers have absolutely no right to threaten University funding based on speech… More
Banned in the USA Spotlight: George M. Johnson
George M. Johnson, author of one of the most banned books in America, is now one of the author plaintiffs in PEN America et al v. Escambia County School… More
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression This Week
PEN America works tirelessly to defend free expression, support persecuted writers, and promote literary culture. Here are some of the latest ways PEN America is speaking out. More
PEN America Applauds Supreme Court Rulings to Protect Free Expression Online
Liz Woolery, PEN America’s digital policy lead, said: “The Supreme Court got it right today, issuing twin decisions that protect the right to free expression on the internet. As… More
PEN America Honors Salman Rushdie with Centenary Courage Award at Literary Gala; Author’s First Public Appearance Since Being Wounded in Knife Attack Nine Months Ago
It was an emotional return to the stage for Salman Rushdie, who for decades has been a tireless defender of persecuted writers and the freedom to write while himself… More
Shut Down of Environmental Blog at U of Iowa After Lawmakers Reportedly Complained About It is “Profoundly Alarming,” Says PEN America
PEN America’s senior manager of free expression and education Kristen Shahverdian said: “It is nothing short of a tragedy that Jones’ blog has been shut down for political reasons.… More
PEN America Statement About Ted Sarandos and the Business Visionary Award
PEN America released the following statement: “We admire Ted Sarandos’ singular work translating literature to artful presentation on screen, and his stalwart defense of free expression and satire. As a… More
PEN America Calls on China to Release Taiwan-based Publisher Li Yanhe
Li Yanhe had published books by Chinese dissidents and on subjects that otherwise would have been banned by Beijing. He has given Chinese-language readers access to different ideas and… More
Banned in the USA Spotlight: Mike Curato
Mike Curato's Flamer was tied for the most banned book in the fall of 2022 in PEN America’s Index of School Book Bans. He tells PEN America why he… More
Expanded ‘Don’t Say Gay” Law in Florida is a “Flagrant Escalation” of Censorship in Schools, Says PEN America
Jonathan Friedman, director of Free Expression and Education Programs, released the following statement: "With this decision, the DeSantis administration and the Board of Education are continuing a frontal attack… More
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