Thought Is Free: An Evening of Protest and Solidarity

High-profile champions of free expression will read the work of imprisoned artists speaking truth to power. Legendary journalist Carl Bernstein will read a story by Eskinder Nega, the Ethiopian reporter whose arrest on anti-terrorism charges has been protested by PEN, Amnesty International, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the U.S. State Department. The globally renowned Iranian-born artist and filmmaker Shirin Neshat will read a statement by Ai Weiwei, the Chinese artist who has been barred from leaving the country because of his criticism of the government. Ai Weiwei’s involvement in the program has been facilitated by Larry Warsh, United Expression Media, and the Friends of Ai Weiwei. Lou Reed, rock icon and frontman of the Velvet Underground, will read a text from the Pussy Riot trial, which sent three members of the Russian punk band to prison. Two of them remain in jail. The evening will conclude with Salman Rushdie joining Nathan Englander onstage for a conversation about The Twenty-Seventh Man, Rushdie’s new memoir, and the responsibilities of the artist. Rushdie is the founder and chair of the PEN World Voices Festival and Englander is a member of the PEN American Center Board of Trustees. Hosted by Liev Schreiber.