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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Entertainment
Gloria Oladipo

PEN America cancels festival after authors drop out in support of Gaza

PEN America PEN Gaza
Twenty-eight out of 61 nominated authors and translators withdrew their books from consideration for Pen America’s annual award ceremony.
Twenty-eight out of 61 nominated authors and translators withdrew their books from consideration for Pen America’s annual award ceremony. Photograph: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

The free speech organization PEN America has cancelled its World Voices festival after several authors withdrew their participation over the non-profit’s response to Israel’s military attacks against Gaza.

The festival was scheduled to take place on 8 May in New York City and Los Angeles. A prominent group of writers including Naomi Klein, a Guardian columnist; Isabella Hammad; and Zaina Arafat signed an open letter to PEN America in March announcing their decision not to participate in this year’s festival.

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