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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PEN America Mourns the Death of Prize-Winning Ukrainian Author and PEN-Ukraine Member Victoria Amelina
Polina Sadovskaya, Eurasia director at PEN America, said: “Victoria Amelina was a celebrated Ukrainian author who turned her distinct and powerful voice to investigate and expose war crimes after… More
In Christian Evangelical Web Designer Case, PEN America Voices Concern that Supreme Court Ruling Overlooks Risk of Legitimizing Unlawful Discrimination in the Name of Religious Freedom
"As a free expression organization, PEN America stands against efforts to censor speakers on the basis of viewpoint or to compel speech. When a business entity offering a public… More
More Than 50 Authors Join PEN America, We Need Diverse Books, and the Florida Freedom to Read Project, in Call to Pinellas County, FL School Officials to Drop Review of 87 Book Titles
Kasey Meehan, director, Freedom to Read project at PEN America, said: “These books by celebrated authors allow students to see themselves in works of fiction or to gain an… More
In Aftermath of Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action, Higher Ed Must Continue to Value and Support Diversity
“The mission of the university is best served by a diversity of views, experiences, and identities. To the extent that the Court’s decision weakens the ability of colleges and… More
New Report: To Reduce Online Abuse, Social Media Platforms Must Overhaul Flawed System for Users to Report Harassment and Threats
Viktorya Vilk, director for digital safety and free expression at PEN America and the report co-author, said: “The mechanisms for reporting abuse are deeply flawed and further traumatize and… More
PEN America Rejects Calls to Cancel Venue for Moms for Liberty Conference in Philadelphia
Moms For Liberty play a central role in promoting efforts to ban books, to suppress ideas and information in schools, to erase LGBTQ+ identities from bookshelves and classrooms, and… More
PEN America Calls Supreme Court Decision in Counterman v. Colorado an “Important and Necessary Protection for Free Expression”
“Nevertheless,” Ruane said, “we would have preferred a more speech-protective standard than the one announced today for true threats. The recklessness standard, appropriate for a stalking case or other… More
New Report Calls for Greater Protections for Threatened Artists on the Frontlines of Social and Political Change Worldwide
“With their unique ability to challenge dominant narratives, bring people together, and foster hope in a brighter future, socially engaged artists are a critical part of the battle to… More
PEN America Legal Filing Argues that Florida’s Stop WOKE Act is Unconstitutional
“Florida’s ‘Stop W.O.K.E.’ Act impedes the robust exchange of ideas that is foundational to our education system and our democracy,” said Kate Ruane, Sy Syms director of the U.S.… More
Freedom to Read Statement, Drafted 70 Years Ago, Is Vital Today in a New Time of Censorship
(NEW YORK)— PEN America, its president, Ayad Akhtar, and a group of past PEN America presidents today joined free expression and literary organizations and publishers in endorsing the Freedom… More