It’s with great pleasure that we're able to announce a policy change for PEN’s Freedom to Write program, one that we think will enhance the efficiency and reach of our important international and domestic campaigns.

Freedom To Write is going GREEN and introducing an online petition system that will take the place of our traditional, physical letter writing campaigns. This change will allow PEN’s staff and membership to respond to more Rapid Action Network (RAN) notices, faster. Using online petitions will also allow PEN to gather support from the social networking sites we use, like Facebook and Twitter. In addition to the case information that provided in each RAN alert, please follow us online for feature links relating to each case. The first Freedom to Write petition—for editor, Evaristo Ortega Zárate—will be launched this week at http://www.penusa.org/petition/zarate.

If you have paid for the AUTO RAN service, your name is automatically added to the petition. Meaning, AUTO RAN members need not respond, UNLESS they would prefer to opt-out of signing. If you are an AUTO RAN member and do not want to support a particular RAN, you will have to opt-out by sending an email to ftw@penusa.org.

If you are a Freedom To Write Committee member, a PEN member, or a supporter of our organization and programs at any level, please take the time to review the case information and electronically sign the petition. Once a petition is complete, the PEN staff will send all signatures to the government officials and US consulate featured as contacts for the case in question.

Thank you for your support for Freedom To Write. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office and a member of the PEN Staff will assist you.