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
Bill to Ban TikTok is a Sweeping Resort to Censorship that Would Undermine Free Expression, Says PEN America
Proposals such as Hawley’s–including the recently introduced Terminate TikTok on Campus Act (H.R. 231), which would prohibit federal funding of higher education institutions unless they ban TikTok on institution-owned… More
Laws restricting drag shows should scare everyone who believes in free expression
A wave of bills restricting free expression is building in state legislatures. This time, the target is drag performances. More
National Organizations Condemn Cancellation of Student Play at Douglas Anderson School of Performing Arts in Duval County, FL
“Indecent is a critically acclaimed and award-winning 2015 play by Paula Vogel that possesses rich educational and artistic merit. It has been produced Off-Broadway, on Broadway, and has been… More
PEN America Condemns “Alarming Spread” of Violence and Harassment Against Drag Story Hours
"These violent responses to drag performers and members of the LGBTQ+ community strike at the heart of the freedom to gather, read, perform, and share community safely, all bedrocks… More
PEN America 2022 in Review: How We Defended Free Expression
In PEN America’s 100th year, our mission was as vital as ever. We celebrated words, and we fought for the right to be heard. With your help, we can… More
PEN America and PEN Sydney Condemn Arrests of 3 More Iranian Writers, as Iran Continues Crackdown on Free Expression Targeting Writers and Artists
“The violent and targeted arrests of the IWA’s board members are designed to intimidate and silence one of the leading independent civil society voices inside Iran that steadfastly speaks… More
Alarm Over South Dakota Elected Leaders’ Attempt to Exert Control Over Student-Sponsored Drag Show
“It is not the place of elected officials to pick and choose what events and whose expression is allowable on campus, meddling in students’ First Amendment rights,” said Jonathan… More
PEN America and Amani: Africa Creative Defense Network Condemn “Unjust Sentences” and Flogging of Nigerian TikTok Comedians Over Satirical Video Skits
These comedians have the right to express themselves and their views freely and without fear of harm, and satire is not and should never be treated as a crime,”… More
PEN America Welcomes U.S. Government Sanctions on Iranian Group that Placed Bounty on Salman Rushdie’s Life
Nadine Farid Johnson, managing director of PEN America Washington and Free Expression Programs, said: “PEN America applauds the Treasury Department’s decision, which sends a powerful message to the Iranian… More
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Are you an artist at risk or know someone who is?
PEN America On 
An author's 2023 #BlackHistoryMonth appearances at Hoover City Schools in #Alabama have been canceled on the basis of one parent's complaint.
In 2022, award-winning author Derrick Barnes
appeared at three @HooverSchools elementary schools. https://www.al.com/educationlab/2023/01/hoover-schools-cancel-black-history-month-author-visit-after-parent-complaint.html
5. What do you think about free expression online? Is it the same or different from other public arenas for discourse?
The idea of putting age ratings/warnings on books might seem common sense, but it's actually a means by which folks are trying to chip away at the freedoms and liberties we all cherish. Bills like this have been introduced in at least TX, OK and VA
https://www.courthousenews.com/proposed-texas-law-would-force-content-ratings-on-school-books/