Protesting Palestinian author Randa Jarrar removed from PEN America gathering
In a dramatic turn of events, the PEN Out Loud event, held recently, was disrupted by a group of six writers associated with Writers Against the War on Gaza (WAWOG). The protesters played the names of 13 writers and poets killed by Israel in Gaza since October 7, 2023, drawing attention to the ongoing conflict and its devastating impact on the literary community.
The group's list of victims, however, remains unverified as specific individual names of these authors or poets were not identified in subsequent searches. The event saw an unexpected escalation when author Randa Jarrar, one of the protesters, refused to leave and was subsequently asked to depart, leading to her being forcibly removed from the event. This incident was captured on video and quickly went viral on social media.
In the aftermath, PEN America, the organisation hosting the event, issued a statement expressing regret for removing the protestors to allow the event to proceed. However, they have yet to make a public statement about the 13 writers, 122 journalists, and 100 academics killed by Israeli forces since October.
The incident has led to a significant fallout. National Book Award finalist Angela Flournoy and O. Henry Prize winner Kathleen Alcott have severed ties with PEN America in response to the organisation's handling of the situation, citing a lack of action and support for the victims of the conflict in Gaza.
As the debate continues, the spotlight remains on the lost voices in Gaza, a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the crucial role literature plays in preserving and celebrating our shared humanity.
