(New York, NY) — In response to Tuesday’s attack in Atlanta, PEN America issued the following statement:

“PEN America mourns the devastating loss of life in last night’s shootings in Atlanta. This attack falls against the backdrop of a sobering spike in racist attacks—both online and offline—against Asians and Asian Americans, which PEN America, our Trustees, Members, and allies have felt deeply throughout the last year. As writers and readers who believe that words matter, we have an obligation to lift our voices and join in the global call to #StopAsianHate. In solidarity with the families and loved ones of the eight victims targeted on Tuesday, as well as the many other victims of anti-Asian violence, PEN America reaffirms its commitment to advancing an anti-racist society in the United States and upholding our Charter, which binds our PEN Members to ‘do their utmost to dispel race, class, and national hatreds.’”