Congress Votes in Days: Tell Your Representative to Defend Public Media |
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The Trump Administration is attempting to claw back funds from rural and local public media in a blatant attempt to silence media outlets that don't align with the president's preferred narrative. Congress must reject this attack on facts and an independent press, and stand up for the millions of Americans who depend on PBS and NPR for credible reporting and vital cultural programming. |
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The Human Rights of Writers and All Civilians in Gaza Must Be Protected |
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The lives and voices of Palestinian writers, and all civilians in Gaza, hang in the balance. We are horrified to see starvation wielded as a weapon of war, and are calling for urgent action to end the humanitarian crisis and the war. It is our responsibility, as an organization of writers that is committed to human rights and free expression, to speak out unequivocally in defense of their dignity, humanity, and the survival of their culture.
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Important Victories Against Book Bans |
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In vital victories for the freedom to read, books were returned to shelves in Minnesota and Tennessee. In St. Francis, Minnesota, the school district agreed to settle two lawsuits regarding book bans after months of advocacy from PEN America along with fellow freedom to read advocates, students, parents, teachers, and authors. In Rutherford County, Tennessee, board members of the public library system voted to rescind their own March decision to remove books dealing with transgender topics from public libraries. PEN America’s lawsuit against schools in the county continues, fighting the removal of more than 145 books from school shelves.
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In a new analysis, PEN America and the Florida Freedom to Read Project warn that the “parental rights” agenda has delivered control not into the hands of all parents but to a tiny segment of citizens—some not even parents—whose overriding goal is censorship. The policies in Florida have led to banning thousands of books, canceling field trips and theatrical productions, censoring student clubs, and revising and removing disfavored textbooks. It’s a dangerous blueprint now being emulated across the country and at the national level.
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This week’s Member Spotlight features Crossing from Shore to Shore by PEN America member Jean P. Moore. What happens when a love story turns into a political nightmare? From the moment Amalia enters his shop, the immigrant shoemaker Erasmo imagines she will fulfill his dream of America. Through three points of view the truth emerges: Only when the past is confronted will our ancestors stop whispering to us and finally be at peace. |
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| Florida deserves better than fear-based governance.
Hillsborough County, Florida, is turning into a cautionary tale. After facing a grilling from the State Board of Education, the superintendent agreed to ban even more books. This is not policymaking in the interest of children. It is a form of political theater that comes at the expense of students' access to information and ideas. |
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PEN America celebrates literature with free and low-cost quality public programming, authors’ evenings, advocacy trainings, writers workshops, community gatherings and more. Check out the PEN America event calendar for exciting online and in-person events! |
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Mon. June 16, 2025
6:00 PM ET
Online
PEN America is thrilled to host a Q&A with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and MSNBC anchor Jonathan Capehart. In his book, Yet Here I Am, Capehart shares his personal journey of self-discovery—navigating race, identity, and belonging while growing up between New Jersey and rural North Carolina. |
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Join the Poetry Society of New York for four days & five nights as we unplug, rewild our creativity, and connect with each other and the land! PSNY's summer camp for anyone from seasoned poet to poetry-curious, this unconventional writing retreat centers community, imagination & letting poetry live in your body, in your voice, in the rustling trees and the people you meet. |
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Protect the Press in LA
PEN America joined 28 other press freedom and media organizations in signing a letter condemning attacks on journalists covering immigration protests in the Los Angeles area. We are deeply alarmed by reports that federal and local law enforcement officers used force, including rubber bullets and chemical munitions, and appear to have targeted journalists who were simply doing their jobs. Read the letter >>
Fight disinformation about the protests >> The World’s Longest-Jailed Writers
How repressive does a country have to be to earn the nickname “Africa’s North Korea”? Consider this: Eritrea, a fortress-like nation without physical walls, has at least 12 writers and journalists behind bars, most without trial since 2001. Read more >> Flags Under Fire
In yet another alarming attack on free expression, multiple states have recently enacted or are considering bans on Pride and Black Lives Matter flags in public schools or on government property. This year, flag ban bills have been proposed in 16 states – and Idaho, Montana, and Utah enacted four of them. Read more >> A Place for Young Writers
When Ege Dündar was 19, his father was imprisoned. A journalist from Türkiye, his father Can Dündar faced two life sentences and the death penalty for a single article exposing government corruption. Eventually, Ege’s life became entwined with the PEN International network, and now he and Ayi Renaud Dossavi, a Togolese writer, poet, and journalist, have created a Young Writers Committee. Read more >>
Safety Tips for Authors
As booksellers and authors deal with the spike in threats and harassment, New York Times bestselling author Samira Ahmed delivered a stunning revelation at a recent PEN America-hosted conversation: She now checks into hotels under an alias after she discovered an individual was calling hotels to find out where she was staying. She was among those sharing tips for authors facing harassment. Read more >>
Students Making a Difference
Students at the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg came together to address changes to their campus as a result of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ moves to ban diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the public university system. They want other students to know they can make a difference. Read more >> |
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“Emerging Voices is such an important program for young and old writers who are trying to tell their stories. I was incredibly lucky to be in the program when I was younger, and I have always stayed close to PEN because something in me knew I needed to be close to this important community of writers.”
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