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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
Russia: Oleg Sentsov in critical condition
Ukrainian filmmaker and writer Oleg Sentsov, who has been on hunger strike since 14 May 2018, is reportedly in a critical condition. According to his lawyer, who visited him… More
Nearly 90 Days Into His Hunger Strike, Oleg Sentsov Needs Our Support More Than Ever
In anticipation of the 90th day of his hunger strike, we encourage everyone to tweet about Oleg Sentsov asking for his immediate release. More
Russia, When Do You Plan to Release Sentsov?
Oleg is an artist; freedom is everything to him. Yet after four years in prison he is starving himself not to demand his own release, but that of all… More
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
Alert Us
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. 
PEN America On Twitter
Award-winning photographer Shahidul Alam, who was accused of spreading "false propaganda" after criticizing the Bangladesh government for attacking journalists and student protesters, has been denied bail. https://t.co/ISNgH1dGBm
"Free and open debate is the lifeblood of democracy. We must not abandon these fundamental ideals; instead, we must revere, protect, and promote them in everything we do."
Watch @HillaryClinton's 2018 #FreedomToWrite lecture: https://t.co/9AmPkaFrmI