When PEN America celebrated its 100th birthday two years ago, it was a rousing if sober celebration of a nimble defender of free expression around the world.
Once a small writers group best known for its staunch defense of imperiled writers in authoritarian regimes, it had become a leading fighter against book bans, educational gag orders and other surging threats across the United States.
Today, amid spiraling protests over the Israel-Hamas war, battles over free speech are pitched as high as ever.
But PEN America has found itself roiled, and at times hobbled, by escalating controversy over its response to the war.
But far from quelling controversy, the cancellations have unleashed a war of words over just who is trying to silence, shame and bully whom.
Persons:
Salman Rushdie
Organizations:
PEN America, PEN
Locations:
United States, Israel, New York