PEN America Gala

Amber Ruffin jokes about being banned as a speaker, PEN America gala protests censorship and celebrates free speech. Awards given to Sarah Jessica Parker, Galal El-Behairy, Michael Roth, and Jon Yaged. Notable mentions include Maine Gov. Janet Mills and the controversial 2024 year for PEN.

Book Bans in Public Schools

PEN America warns of a disturbing trend of book bans in public schools, fueled by the right-wing media machine, targeting diverse and inclusive books about race, gender, and LGBTQ+ topics.