Press Releases
PEN America experts are available for interviews with the press. Please direct inquiries to Suzanne Trimel, Senior Advisor, Communications and Media, at [email protected].
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Global Art House Film Community Rallies in Support of Acclaimed Iran Directors Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghadam
In the wake of Narges Mohammadi’s Nobel Peace Prize recognition, the persecution of Iranian artists and writers persists unabated More
Bullying on DEI by WI Legislature Threatens Academic Freedom and Free Expression
Jeremy C. Young, Freedom to Learn program director at PEN America, said: “What happened in the Wisconsin system is partisan bullying at its worst. Strong-arming university regents into following… More
PEN America Responds to Rutgers University Decision to Suspend Pro-Palestinian Student Group
“There must be a high bar for suspending student groups for political activity, and without full transparency detailing what specific speech or conduct crossed the line, the students are… More
PEN America Warns of “Unintended Consequences” for Campus Free Speech— Including in Classroom Discussions— in Response to Gov. Hochul’s Letter to Public Colleges on Genocide
“This political directive to discipline people for broad and vaguely defined categories of speech will put pressure on university leaders to censor or punish faculty and students, and may… More
PEN America Mourns the Death of Palestinian Scholar-Writer Refaat Alareer
“Through his writing, Refaat Alareer sought to shine a light on life in Gaza. He wanted the world to know the stories of how ordinary Palestinians lived and loved,… More
Data from Two School Years of Book Banning Show Spread of Copycat Bans and a “Scarlet Letter” Effect for Authors
“Book banners have effectively marked a group of authors with a ‘scarlet letter,” which has intensified the pace and scope of book banning in schools,” said Kasey Meehan, Freedom… More
Bard College and PEN America Launch Fellowship for International Artists Persecuted for Their Work
Bard College and PEN America’s Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) today announce the inaugural cohort of fellows for the Center for Ethics and Writing Program, comprising five international artists… More
PEN America To Offer Workshops for Emerging Writers in Los Angeles
“We are thrilled to bring this much-loved resource back to Los Angeles,” said Allison Lee, managing director of PEN America Los Angeles. “PEN America’s Emerging Voices programs share the… More
PEN America: Florida Education Commissioner “Undermines Academic Freedom” With Ideologically-Motivated Ban of Sociology from General Education Curricula
“This is an alarming statement by Manny Díaz, and one that substantially undermines academic freedom and university governance in the state. While governing boards are free to modify general… More
Author and LGBTQ Rights Advocate Jennifer Finney Boylan Elected President of PEN America
With rising censorship of books, Jennifer Finney Boylan said she wants to be a voice in support of free expression for all, including liberal and conservative viewpoints and those… More