Our Freedom to Write honorees need you, *|FNAME|*

Dear Friend,

For almost a century, imperiled writers around the world have had a stalwart ally in PEN America. And in just the last few years, including in our own country, we’ve seen an alarming increase in attacks on the freedom to write. That’s certainly been the case in Iran, where our three Freedom to Write honorees—writers Baktash Abtin, Keyvan Bajan, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi—have been imprisoned for their writings, defense of free expression and opposition to state censorship, and leadership in protecting and upholding Iran’s rich literary traditions.

TELL IRAN TO RELEASE OUR FREEDOM TO WRITE HONOREES

Earlier this week, we paid tribute to these three courageous writers, who remain detained in Iran’s Evin Prison, at our annual literary gala. While the evening was a joyous occasion, devoted to celebrating the freedoms that make literature and writing possible, our thoughts remain with our Freedom to Write honorees, as well as all writers who are persecuted and censored.

Will you add your name to our petition, calling on Iran to release Baktash Abtin, Keyvan Bajan, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi, and share it with your networks? Internationally renowned writers including Margaret Atwood, Behrouz Boochani, and Orhan Pamuk have already signed in solidarity. With your help, we can amplify their stories and send a clear message to dictators and authoritarian governments around the world: that as long as PEN America is still here, we won’t stand for such abuses of power.

We know you’ve already done so much to support PEN America, and if you’re able, a contribution towards our work would help us get the word out to so many others.

Thank you for helping to make our work possible.

In solidarity,

Karin Deutsch Karlekar
Director, Free Expression at Risk Programs

PS -- You’ve already been so generous, but please consider contributing whatever you can towards our work—the fight is far from over, and we need your help.

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