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].
At a time of unprecedented attacks against the free press, PEN America Members are taking action. Join us today.
“Salman has stood most powerfully for the values of PEN America,” says PEN President Ayad Akhtar
"It is hard to find words to express the emotions occasioned by today’s shocking attack on Salman Rushdie. As a former President of our organization, Salman means so much… More
PEN America Reels from Shock and Horror Over Brutal Attack on Salman Rushdie
"PEN America is reeling from shock and horror at word of a brutal, premeditated attack on our former President and stalwart ally, Salman Rushdie, who was reportedly stabbed multiple… More
Utah School District’s Reversal on Decision to Remove 52 Books From School Libraries Is an Important Step in Recognizing Students’ Speech Rights
Jonathan Friedman, director of free expression and education programs at PEN America, said: "At a board meeting this week, the Alpine School Board announced that they will not be… More
Florida School District Slaps Stigmatizing and Alarming Warning Labels on Books Deemed “Unsuitable” for Children
Jonathan Friedman, director of free expression and education programs at PEN America, said in response: “This alarming development is just the latest in an onslaught of attacks against students’… More
PEN America Condemns Arrest of Guatemalan Journalist Jose Ruben Zamora, Calling His Imprisonment an “Unsconscionable Attempt” to Silence Him
“The arrest of José Rubén Zamora is clearly politically motivated and an egregious effort to undermine press freedom, as well as an unconscionable attempt by the Guatemalan government to… More
New Op-Ed Series Focused on the Freedom to Learn to Launch in Washington Post’s ‘Made by History’ Section
“We’re excited to partner with the Washington Post’s Made by History to support high-quality, well-researched analysis by professional historians on the unprecedented threats to our education system,” said Jeremy… More
Ban on 52 Books in Largest Utah School District is a Worrisome Escalation of Censorship
“This is a concerning escalation of the book banning we saw last school year. Elected officials and attorneys general are now easing and encouraging banning, facilitating the fulfillment of… More
In Its Centenary Year, PEN America Launches Tenth U.S. Regional Chapter in Denver on August 5
PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said: “We are grateful to add two exceptional regional advocates for free expression and open discourse in Colorado who will join the writer-to-writer solidarity… More
Secret Military Executions of Four Pro-Democracy Myanmar Activists a “Devastating Act of Brutality”
Liesl Gerntholz, director of the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Center, said: “This is an unspeakable act of brutality, an abhorrent act. We join their families and the people of… More
Ban on Sexual Health Textbooks Continues Torrent of Censorship in Florida
"This ban on sexual health textbooks in Miami-Dade is yet another alarming victory in a political crusade to place politically motivated constraints on what students can learn. It comes… More