(NEW YORK)— In response to today’s guilty verdict in the trial of the assailant in the brutal 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie, PEN America, the writers’ organization he had served as president, issued the following comment:
“The conviction of Salman Rushdie’s attacker is an important step toward justice for this unparalleled writer and reaffirms that violence can never be the answer to ideas. Decades after the Iranian fatwa that marked Rushdie for death, this case is a stark reminder of the enduring threats faced by writers who challenge authority and orthodoxy. We must remain vigilant in defending the right to speak, write, and think, without fear.
Over many years, Rushdie has been a singular champion of writers under threat worldwide, speaking out on behalf of their freedom to write after being menaced himself for decades by the order calling for his execution. His courageous and defiant spirit is a beacon as we defend free expression wherever it comes under threat.”
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], 201-247-5057