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.
PEN America: Free Expression Rights Are Threatened by Overturning Roe v. Wade
As a human rights organization, we are deeply alarmed by a decision to brazenly roll back the right to bodily autonomy. When certain well-established rights are treated as dispensable,… More
Appeals Court’s Decision Upholding Anti-Boycott Law Drastically Undermines Free Expression
“The Eighth Circuit ruling misreads well-established legal precedent and drastically undermines constitutionally protected freedoms,” said Nadine Farid Johnson, Washington director of PEN America. “The right to participate in boycotts,… More
PEN America Launches Ninth U.S. Chapter in Arizona to be Led by Author Michelle Beaver and Poet Amber McCrary
“There’s a tremendous amount of literary talent in the Grand Canyon State, and PEN’s presence here is going to help unify those voices,” says PEN Arizona Chapter Leader Michelle… More
Proceeding with Trial of Xu Zhiyong is a “Grave and Shameful” Mistake by China
Xu faces a potential punishment of life in prison if convicted. His lawyer will reportedly plead his innocence of the crimes at trial. Trials involving government critics in China—including… More
Justice Department Should Drop Charges Against Julian Assange Under Espionage Act
“Today's decision makes clear: the onus is on the U.S. Department of Justice to drop the charges against Assange under the Espionage Act, once and for all. As we… More
Human Rights Organizations Demand Immediate Freedom for Cuban Artists Facing Persecution Due to Pro-Democracy Activities
The human rights organizations strongly condemned the charges of alleged contempt, defamation, and public disorder brought against the artists, for which the Cuban Prosecutor's Office intends to sentence Otero… More
PEN America and the Venezuelan American Caucus Present an Online Workshop to Help Stop the Spread of Digital Disinformation Ahead of the Midterm Elections
Participants will learn strategies for uplifting credible, culturally attuned, in-language news and information. The goal is to empower participants with communication strategies for expressing the value of media literacy… More
Treasures from the PEN America Archives Celebrates 100th Year in NY Historical Society Exhibit Opening July 22
Highlights include a letter from poet T.S. Eliot in 1948, expressing his “distress and terror” over a dinner being organized in his honor; cocktail party invitations sent between 1951… More
Fears for Safety of Exiled Iranian Singer and Poet as She Travels to Genoa for Poetry Festival
“At only 26 years old, Sahar is an incredibly talented and courageous artist and activist who has dared to use her voice to call for peace and advocate for… More
Vow to Execute Cultural Figures and Activists Shows Myanmar Junta’s Disdain for Human Rights and Rule of Law
“These excessive sentences and rapid execution schedule, following a farcical closed-door trial by a military tribunal, fly in the face of international legal norms and should be reversed immediately,”… More