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PEN America is at the forefront of the fight to defend free expression, artistic freedom, and the free press in the United States and beyond. We research and report the challenges, host educational and advocacy events, draft op-eds, pressure governments and other powerful forces, and provide support to individual writers and artists at risk.
But for free expression to flourish, writers and readers everywhere must rise to the challenge of defending it, for all people. Please, join us by taking action below.
Israel: End judicial proceedings and ensure Dareen Tatour’s immediate release
Dareen Tatour, a Palestinian poet and citizen of Israel, was convicted by the Nazareth Magistrate's Court on May 3, 2018 on charges of incitement to violence and support for terror organizations. Tatour… More
Sign the Petition: Demand Donald Trump Hold Vladimir Putin to International Standards of Free Speech
Sign the petition calling on Donald Trump to hold Russia accountable to international standards of free speech and demand the release of Ukrainian writer and filmmaker Oleg Sentsov and… More
Oman: Release of prominent poet and intellectual Abdullah Habib
PEN welcomes the release of prominent poet Abdullah Habib on June 13, 2018, who was serving a six-month prison sentence on politically-motivated charges. More
China: Uyghur pop musician and lyric writer detained, concerns for his well-being
PEN is seriously concerned for the well-being of Uyghur pop musician and lyric writer, Ablajan Awut Ayup (popularly known as Ablajan), who was taken into custody by state security… More
Demand Answers: Sign the petition to Attorney General Jeff Sessions to protect our free press
Sign the petition to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the U.S. Department of Justice demanding an explanation of its extreme measures. More
He Can Still Be Saved: 32 Days Into His Hunger Strike, Oleg Sentsov Must Be Released Immediately
Sentsov faces an uphill battle; the Russian state does not like ultimatums, and the chance that he will succeed in securing freedom for his fellow Ukrainian prisoners is very… More
Egypt: prominent writer and blogger under arrest and investigation
PEN is deeply concerned about the detention of Wael Abbas, a prominent Egyptian blogger and political activist. He has been arbitrarily detained since his arrest on May 24, 2018, when… More
Russia: Oleg Sentsov on hunger strike
The Ukrainian writer and filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, winner of 2017 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award has been on hunger strike since May 14, 2018 to urge the Russian authorities… More
Turkey: Charges Against Filmmakers Çayan Demirel and Ertuğrul Mavioğlu an Affront to Free Expression
Turkey must uphold its domestic and international commitments to protect freedom of expression and ensure that artists are free to create without fear. More
Sign Now: Demand the release of Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo
We stand with Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo in solidarity and join with PEN America in raising our voices to protect the values of freedom of expression and… More
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To any writer artist who is at risk, or is in need of assistance, including those denied entry into the U.S. as a result of the latest Trump Administration travel ban. 
