America Speaks
Marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
Participate in a free speech multimedia project with your ideas about free expression.
What does freedom of expression mean to you?
Add Your Voice
1
Record an audio clip
(:15 – :60 seconds)
OR
type a response
(250 words max)
2
Include your first name, last initial, age, occupation, and location in your response.
If you’d like to be listed as anonymous, include “anonymous” as your first name.
3
Submit the file using the link below or email it directly to [email protected]
America Speaks Across the Country
PEN America Co-CEO Summer Lopez introduces America Speaks
Free speech, free expression, the First Amendment. At PEN America, we talk about these every day. But this year, we’re creating a place to listen, too. It’s called America Speaks. It’s a new project we’re launching to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
Voices from Across America
Latest Updates
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Blurred Lines: ‘America Speaks’ On Free Speech and The Rise of AI
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America Speaks: ‘In my country, we’re not allowed to read these things’
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‘We’re Losing So Much’: ‘America Speaks’ About Free Expression Anxieties
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Free Speech, Queer Voices: The Pride Book Fair and What It Means to Speak Freely
Want to hear more?
Follow along for the latest from America Speaks.
What We Do
PEN America celebrates literature and defends free expression.
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Book Bans
Book Bans -
Writers at Risk Advocacy
Writers at Risk Advocacy -
Literary Awards
Literary Awards -
Campus Free Speech
Campus Free Speech -
Safety & Online Abuse
Safety & Online Abuse -
Literary Grants
Literary Grants -
Disinformation
Disinformation -
Educational Censorship
Educational Censorship -
Fellowships, Workshops & Trainings
Fellowships, Workshops & Trainings -
Prison and Justice Writing
Prison and Justice Writing