PEN America ceremony canceled due to protest, Tony Kushner will donate prize money

PEN America ceremony canceled due to protest, Tony Kushner will donate prize money Enlarge this image toggle caption Beowulf Sheehan/PEN America Beowulf Sheehan/PEN America This story has been updated. Sponsor Message An open letter signed by a number of writers to PEN America's leadership reads, "We reject these honors conferred by your organization in protest of your failure to confront the genocide in Gaza." "We greatly respect that writers have followed their consciences, whether they chose to remain as nominees in their respective categories or not," said Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, PEN America's head of literary programming, in a statement. "In both his art and activism, Tony Kushner compels us to confront uncomfortable truths about the 21st century," PEN America wrote in its announcement, "helping us feel our way towards a better future and aspire toward a more just and compassionate world."