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.
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
PEN America Condemns Sentencing of Belarusian Journalists
“The ongoing targeting of journalists, including, prolonging sentences, and the general atmosphere of repression in Belarus are an urgent cause for international concern,” said Polina Sadovskaya, director of Eurasia… More
PEN America Denounces Propaganda Against and Russian Imprisonment of Ukrainian Activist
“The sudden onslaught of propaganda against Butkevych is full of lies, and his service in the field of human rights is not a ‘cover’ for anything. ” said Polina… More
Arizona Law Outlawing Recording of Police Threatens Basic Constitutional Rights
"Arizona's new law threatens fundamental constitutional rights, and the ability of the public to hold public servants to account. In 2020, a recording of the Minneapolis police's murder of… More
PEN America Condemns Arrests of Iranian Filmmakers as a “Brazen Violation” of Human Rights
“The Iranian government’s decision to detain Mohammad Rasoulof, Mostafa Aleahmad, and Jafar Panahi marks a brazen violation of their human right to free expression and speech,” said Julie Trébault,… More
Geraldine Baum, Communications Strategist and Veteran Journalist, Joins PEN America as Chief Communications Officer
PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said: “We are fortunate to have Geraldine take charge of our communications efforts at a time of mounting threats to open discourse in the… More
PRESS BRIEFING: Mon., 7/11 in DC: Middle East Dissidents and Human Rights Defenders Speak Out Ahead of President Biden’s Trip
MEDIA ADVISORY for Monday, July 11 at 2:30 PM ET (WASHINGTON)--On Monday, July 11 at 2:30 PM ET, dissidents and human rights defenders from the Middle East and Members… More
PEN America Mourns the Death of Thai Artist, Scholar, and Art Critic Thanom Chapakdee
Julie Trebault, director of the Artists at Risk Connection, said in a statement: “We will miss him dearly and our hearts are with his family and friends during this… More
PEN America Publishes Fourth DREAMing Out Loud Anthology: Original Short Stories, Essays, Plays and Poems from Young Migrant Authors in New York City
“The extraordinary challenges and backgrounds that bind these writers together as New Yorkers make for powerful reading,” said PEN America’s Jared Jackson. “They offer a remarkable and enduring window… More
Failed Bill Brought by Arizona Democrats Would Have Restricted What Teachers Can Teach
"Had HB 2634 become law, Arizona teachers might have been unable to assign materials that depict historical or literary instances of discrimination to educate students about why discrimination is… More
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