[Liu Xiaobo is a Chinese literary critic, poet, and dissident. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Christmas Day for “inciting subversion of state power.” Learn more at the PEN website.]

Dear Friends:

Tomorrow’s press event/rally to protest the conviction of Liu Xiaobo in China will take place ON THE FRONT STEPS OF THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY, 42nd Street at 5th Avenue, at 11:00 a.m.

We are hoping for a large turnout of PEN supporters to send a strong image, and message, of solidarity. Please join us for this event, which kicks off a year that marks the 50th year of PEN’s organized efforts to defend writers under threat around the world.

Many thanks,
Larry Siems
Director, Freedom to Write and International Programs