Dear Ernesto,

I support PEN America because I believe that we all have an obligation to raise our voices in defense of the values we believe in.

PEN America doesn’t just protect the words of writers, but words used by all people—actors, students, politicians, everyone! PEN America even supports words it does not agree with—because that is what it means to defend free expression.

The space for free expression is shrinking in Europe and in the United States. The only way to make this space grow is to fill it with words. Please don’t let anyone tell you that using your words makes you impolite or unpatriotic. Words are a celebration of democracy, diversity, inclusion, and acceptance. Words are your right. The only way your words can be taken away from you is if you do not speak them.

Please join me in raising your voice and supporting PEN America. We are louder together!

Best wishes,

Patrick Stewart