Don’t Censor America
We demand that our voices be heard.
22,810
PEN America research finds that since 2021, more than 22,800 book bans occurred in 45 states and 451 public school districts.
Book Bans Are Off the Charts
Books pulled from shelves across the country overwhelmingly featured characters of color and/or LGBTQ+ people. Send a letter to your state elected officials demanding that they stand up for books and oppose book bans. It takes just 2 minutes!
Get the Facts
Read our latest report from the 2024-2025 school year, or dive into all our research dating back to 2021 to see for yourself where the bans are taking place and which books and authors are impacted.
Take Action
Send a letter to your state lawmakers to voice your opposition to book bans.
Urge the Governor of NY to protect the Freedom to Read.
Take the Pledge and Stand Together for the Freedom to Read
Tell Congress: Don’t Censor America! Send a letter today.
Tell Florida State Legislators: Put Books Back on the Shelves
Defend the Freedom to Read and Learn
Books banned. Professors fired. Librarians threatened. Textbooks censored. American education is under attack, and we stand with educators and librarians in defending the freedom to read and learn. Attend your local school board meetings, vote in your local elections, and speak up about the right to read.
5 Ways to Fight Book Bans
Here are five things you can do today to fight book bans in your community and beyond >>
What to Say at Public Meetings
Suggestions about how to talk about book bans at school board or library meetings >>
Help PEN America Fight Book Bans
PEN America’s research reveals that there have been more than 22,800 book bans in 45 states since 2021. Your support is critical to the fight against book bans. Please donate today.
Get Your Merch!
Get t-shirts, sweaters, totes, mugs, onesies, and more. Support the freedom to read today with exclusive designs by Todd Parr, Mike Curato, Art Spiegelman, Lingua Franca, and more!
Spread Facts, Not Falsehoods
Disinformation is designed to inflame emotions and get us to share before we think. Especially during an election, news happens fast and emotions are high. Fight disinformation by being your own fact-checker. Take a beat and ask yourself: Can I trust that this information is accurate? Should I wait to see if this information will be verified? Think critically, and share responsibly.
Media Literacy Toolkit
It is vital that we all become more discerning consumers of information and news. Here are five quick tips for defending against disinformation >>
How to Talk to Friends and Family Who Share Misinformation
Your friends or family may be spreading misinformation, which is shared by people who may not know the information is false >>
A Journalist’s Guide to Combating Disinformation
PEN America has developed resources to help journalists detect, monitor, and report on disinformation and build greater trust with their communities >>
Fight Online Abuse
Online abuse—from violent threats and hateful slurs to sexual harassment and doxing—poses a direct and pressing threat to free expression. Fight back and protect yourself >>
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