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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Artist-Activist Ai Weiwei in Conversation with Author and Cultural Critic Mira Jacob on 1/23 in New York City
From personal experience as an artist who has been persecuted for criticizing the state, Ai Weiwei has a deep understanding of why creative and free expression matters so deeply. More
PEN America Condemns New Conviction of Iranian Dissident Rapper Toomaj Salehi
The re-arrest of Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi and his severe sentence is part of a calculated effort to suppress dissenting voices, illustrating a broader and alarming crackdown on the… More
Tenure Review for Former Chancellor of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Who was Fired Should be Halted
Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager of free expression and education at PEN America, said: “Professors are allowed to have private lives – and private speech. While a Board of Regents… More
Vietnamese Journalist Le Huu Minh Tuan Must be Released Immediately and Receive Urgent Medical Attention
PEN America expresses profound concern for Le Huu Minh Tuan, an editor, and member of the Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam. More
Even in Times of War, Art Must Not be Canceled
Amid rising antisemitism and anti-Muslim bigotry around the world, artists are facing intensified scrutiny for expressing their opinions, including on social media. In response, galleries and art institutions in… More
PEN America Expands Support to Children’s Books Authors, with Rising Book Bans
“The banning of books is continuing to take a toll on authors, students, and families,” said Kasey Meehan, program director, Freedom to Read at PEN America. “It’s vital that… More
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
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