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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
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
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
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PEN America On 
1st graders at @holahoboken read Jay Jay the Journalist, which follows a child reporter on his search for the truth.
Afterwards, they wrote notes to Wa Lone, the book's author, and his @Reuters colleague Kyaw Soe Oo, who are both jailed in Myanmar for their journalistic work.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders left the podium after just 15 minutes at her first press briefing in 21 days. https://t.co/Bhh9UF1Yxa