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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.
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Advocacy • Open Letters • Petitions • Rapid Actions
SIGN NOW: Demand Charges be Dropped Against Three Saudi Writer-Activists
Sign the petition to call on the Saudi Arabian government to drop all charges against these courageous writer-activists and 2019 Freedom to Write awardees. More
Ukrainian Filmmaker Oleg Sentsov Marks Five Years in Russian Prison
On this fifth anniversary of Oleg Sentsov's unjust detention, PEN America continues to call for his immediate and unconditional release. More
World Press Freedom Day 2019
We are proud to collaborate with PEN America partners nationwide in activities to celebrate World Press Freedom Day 2019. More
Azerbaijan: Imprisoned writer Rashad Ramazanov ends hunger strike
Writer and blogger Rashad Ramazanov is on hunger strike and in poor health. He is one of several Azerbaijani prisoners, activists, and opposition figures who have been on hunger… More
Add Your Name: Join 100 Writers, Journalists, Artists, and Activists in Calling on the United Nations to Investigate the Murder of Jamal Khashoggi
Sign the letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres calling for an immediate investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. More
Egypt: Health condition of detained writer Ibrahim al-Husseini deteriorating
PEN is deeply concerned about the health condition of Ibrahim al-Husseini, an Egyptian writer who has been detained since his arrest on December 9, 2018. More
Lebanon: Writer faces criminal charges for defamation
PEN is concerned about trial of Hani H. Nsouli, a Lebanese writer and political activist who has been recently transferred to the individual criminal Court in Beirut on charges of "defamation". More
Tell Imprisoned Writers: You Are Not Alone
This December, PEN America is collecting messages of solidarity to be delivered to imprisoned writers around the world. More
Mauritania: Blogger still detained one year after court decision quashing his death sentence
JOINT STATEMENT Although authorities should have released him in November 2017, Mohamed Mkhaïtir is still being detained in an undisclosed location His physical and mental health is deteriorating as a… More
Oppose the Protest Tax before October 15—Your Voice Matters
PEN America calls on its Members and supporters to oppose the Trump Administration’s effort to effectively “tax” protests in the nation’s capital. More
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Children's and YA #Authors! Since 2001, the PEN/Phyllis Naylor Fellowship has awarded 19 winning projects of children's and YA fiction. Submissions for our 2020 cycle are open until August 15— learn more at https://t.co/qwJBovgRK0
This Saturday we’re partnering with @city_bureau and @PENamerican for a special panel discussion about trauma-informed reporting. Event is free and open to the public. https://t.co/3HhX0AsB2P
Attention Translators! PEN/Heim #Translation Fund Grants have supported nearly 200 winning projects from over 35 languages. Submissions for our 2020 cycle are open until June 1— learn more at https://t.co/HOeZ9OOfuF