[Occupymendocino] Fw: UPDATE: United in protecting free speech

Thu Dec 15 09:20:56 PST 2016

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From: Suzanne Nossel, PEN America <media=pen.org at mail206.suw16.rsgsv.net> on behalf of Suzanne Nossel, PEN America <media at pen.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2016 12:08 PM
To: annxpress at live.com
Subject: UPDATE: United in protecting free speech

Ann,

The very foundation of our democratic system-free speech and freedom of expression-is under attack.

As part of a nationwide counter-inaugural protest, PEN America is organizing writers, artists, and activists on January 15-Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday-on the steps of the iconic New York Public Library.

We'll read selected works and then march to Trump Tower to delivery our pledge to President-elect Trump that we will defend the First Amendment, preserve and protect our right to a free press, and defend our right to express our opinions and engage in dissent.

We have collected signatures from 100,000 individuals across the country. Sign the petition today to help us reach 200,000 signatures.<http://pen.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0809b771ad9123934911c8d9b&id=d27968a390&e=4fd68e80bb>

Together, we must protect or friends and neighbors from bigotry and persecution; defend our right to a free press; and protect our right to peaceful protest and assembly.

Thank you,

Suzanne Nossel
Executive Director
PEN America

Stand united-protect free speech in a new political era

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Ann,

The United States is recognized globally for having the broadest and most powerful protections for free speech in the world. But those protections are now under attack.

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Attacks on the media and eroding boundaries between lies and truth have opened up our democracy to threats not seen in generations.<http://pen.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0809b771ad9123934911c8d9b&id=972756f885&e=4fd68e80bb> The past year's presidential campaign included threats and bans against journalists, and pledges to "open up" libel laws to make it easier to sue news organizations.

Inflammatory rhetoric and hate-filled attacks have emboldened extreme factions of our society who are targeting religious and cultural minorities. There are now some who want to criminalize dissent and target scholars and journalists for the expression of their views.

Join PEN America and our partners to protect and defend the First Amendment-the very foundation of our democratic system. Become a co-signer of the pledge to preserve, protect and defend our right to a free press, to express our opinions, and to engage in dissent.<http://pen.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0809b771ad9123934911c8d9b&id=822330b816&e=4fd68e80bb>

If our democracy is to endure and thrive, it is critical that we defend the vital role and the rights of a free press;

It is critical that we protect our right to peaceful protest and assembly, and not allow the government to criminalize dissent;

It is critical that we stand up for religious liberty and pluralism, and against the persecution of religious minorities;

It is critical that we safeguard existing laws and court decisions that limit the use of libel and defamation lawsuits to intimidate critics;

And it is critical that we speak out to reject the bigotry and hate that risk creating a widespread and alarming chilling effect on freedom of expression for people of color, Muslims, Jews, the disabled, immigrants, LGBTQ, and women.

We must stand united!

Become a co-signer today of the pledge to defend the First Amendment.<http://pen.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0809b771ad9123934911c8d9b&id=8fd56d7db7&e=4fd68e80bb>

Together we must protect the very ideals that make the United States respected around the globe.

Thank you,

[https://gallery.mailchimp.com/0809b771ad9123934911c8d9b/images/1c55f6ff-2a06-4dc8-883e-2458a66b5ec2.jpeg]

Suzanne Nossel
Executive Director
PEN America

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