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The Latest Breaking News from PEN

Latest GOP 2024 hopeful DeSantis 'blazing a trail' on book bans in Republican-controlled states

As he vies for the Republican presidential nomination, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is touting a series of measures he has pushed that have led to an upswing in banned or restricted books — not just in Florida schools but in an increasing number of other conservative states

The Independent UK

Salman Rushdie accepts PEN America award in first appearance since stabbing

Salman Rushdie made an emotional and unexpected return to public life Thursday night, attending the annual gala of PEN America and giving the event’s final speech as he accepted a special prize, the PEN Centenary Courage Award, just nine months being after being stabbed repeatedly and hospitalized.

France 24

PEN America gala honors Salman Rushdie, his first in-person appearance since stabbing

Rushdie, whose attendance had not been announced beforehand, spoke briefly, and dedicated some of his remarks to those who came to his help last August while on stage at a New York literary festival.

WEKU

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Salman Rushdie makes first in-person public appearance since stabbing

Salman Rushdie has made an emotional and unexpected return to public life, attending the annual gala of PEN America and giving the event’s final speech as he accepted a special prize, the PEN Centenary Courage Award

The Independent UK

Penguin Random House, PEN America, authors and parents sue Florida county for removing books on race and LGBTQ themes

A new lawsuit against a Florida school board marks a “first-of-its-kind challenge to unlawful censorship”.

The Conversation

Vice-President of Writers' Organization (PEN) Resigns Because of Panel's Excluding Russian Writers

UPDATE: Added response from PEN.

Reason

Imprisoned Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi to receive PEN America's Freedom to Write Award

The Iranian writer, journalist and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi will be honored at this week’s PEN America Literary Gala

The Independent UK

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Biden lambasts book ban attempts in remarks to teachers: ‘Empty shelves don’t help kids learn very much’

“I’ve never met a parent who wants a politician dictating what they can learn, what they can think, and who they can be,” the president said in remarks at the White House

The Independent UK

The book ban surge gripping America’s schools and libraries

A nationwide surge in restrictions against library materials under the auspices of a “parental rights” campaign runs parallel to legislation targeting LGBT+ people and honest discussions of race and racism, sowing chaos for educators and chilling speech in schools across the US. Richard Hall and Alex Woodward report

The Independent UK

Book bans are soaring in US schools, fueled largely by new laws in Republican-led states

Fearing criminal penalties, public schools throughout Missouri removed hundreds of books from their libraries after state lawmakers last year made it illegal to provide students with “sexually explicit” material — a new law that carried punishment of up to a year in prison.

Los Angeles Times

Book bans in US public schools increase by 28% in six months, Pen report finds

Writers organisation denounces ‘relentless’ Republican crusade as 1,477 books banned in first half of 2022-23 school year

The Guardian - US

NPR quits Twitter after being falsely labeled as 'state-affiliated media'

NPR's official Twitter feeds have gone silent. The news organization cites the social media platform's decision to question NPR's editorial independence through a series of inaccurate labels.

WEKU

As book bans gain favor, some say libraries could go

Amid the national uproar about whether to allow students access to a wide variety of books, the superintendent of a Virginia school district last week proposed a sweeping solution: Get rid of school libraries altogether.

Tribune News Service

‘Nobody can go back – we all face jail’: the dissident theatre company opening Adelaide festival

Belarus Free Theatre currently face years in prison if they return home. Now living in exile, they’re bringing their show Dogs of Europe to Australia

The Guardian - AU

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Los Angeles Times

Penguin announces ‘The Roald Dahl Classic Collection’ after outrage over censorship

Penguin has decided Roald Dahl’s books can remain intact after all.

The Independent UK

Lorne Michaels of 'SNL' to be honored at PEN America gala

This year’s PEN America Literary Gala will be notable for the presence of “Saturday Night Live.”

The Independent UK

Writers: Russian attacks seek 'erasure' of Ukrainian culture

The U.S. and Ukrainian chapters of the international writers’ organization PEN have claimed that Russian troops in Ukraine are deliberately attacking the country’s museums, libraries and other cultural institutions

The Times of India

Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace named PEN Pinter Prize International Writer of Courage 2022

Bahraini academic-activist-blogger Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace was named as PEN Pinter Prize International Writer of Courage 2022 by author Malorie Blackman, PEN Pinter Prize 2022 winner, on October 10. Al-Singace is currently serving a life-sentence for his 2011 protests for supporting pro-democracy.

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The Guardian - UK

‘Immensely brave’: Abduljalil al-Singace named international writer of courage

The Bahraini activist who is serving a life sentence in prison for his role in anti-government protests was chosen to share the PEN Pinter prize by Malorie Blackman

The Guardian - UK

Zimbabwean author Tsitsi Dangarembga found guilty of inciting violence

Novelist given suspended sentence after staging peaceful protest calling for political reform

The Independent UK

James Patterson donates to PEN America, Howard University

Howard University, PEN America and Scholastic Book Clubs are among the latest recipients of donations from James Patterson, the bestselling author who has given over $100 million to literary and literacy programs

Chicago Tribune

As attempts to ban books across the county increase, Chicago establishes ‘Book Sanctuaries’: ‘Encouraging and alarming’

CHICAGO — A glass shelf displaying some of the most notable challenged books in the country adorns the entryway of the Chicago Public Library’s Lincoln Belmont branch. The books are surrounded by yellow tape and red signs that inevitably steer the attention of those who walk inside to the titles…

The Independent UK

Authors and friends rally and read for Salman Rushdie

Friends and fellow authors have spoken out on Salman Rushdie's behalf during a rally on the steps of the main branch of the New York Public Library

The Guardian - US

Republicans’ classroom gagging bills are ‘attack on education’, report says

PEN America says ‘educational gag orders’ have increased 250% since 2021 with focus on race and LGBTQ+ issues

Los Angeles Times

The organized labor movement has a new ally: venture capitalists

The staff at PEN America made the announcement in June: They were forming a union.

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