NEW YORK: J.K. Rowling’s passion for free expression is so strong it extends to someone she’d otherwise not care to discuss: Donald Trump.
Speaking Monday night before hundreds gathered for PEN America’s annual gala at the American Museum of Natural History, the “Harry Potter” creator noted that she opposed a recent petition calling for banning the presumptive Republican presidential nominee from entering the United Kingdom, saying such actions endanger everyone’s rights.
“I find almost everything that Mr. Trump says objectionable. I consider him offensive and bigoted,” said the British author, who received PEN’s Literary Service Award for her “extraordinary creativity” and for her efforts on behalf of institutionalized children and other humanitarian causes.
“But he has my full support to come to my country and be offensive and bigoted there.”
PEN, the literary and human rights organization, honored advocates for speech and prisoners of censorship worldwide, from Egypt to Flint, Michigan. Thanks in part to Rowling’s star power, PEN raised more than $1.75 million, the highest total in memory for its fundraising ceremony.
Ahmed Naji, imprisoned in Egypt for the sexual content of his novel “The Use of Life,” was the winner of the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award.
Speaking Monday night before hundreds gathered for PEN America’s annual gala at the American Museum of Natural History, the “Harry Potter” creator noted that she opposed a recent petition calling for banning the presumptive Republican presidential nominee from entering the United Kingdom, saying such actions endanger everyone’s rights.
“I find almost everything that Mr. Trump says objectionable. I consider him offensive and bigoted,” said the British author, who received PEN’s Literary Service Award for her “extraordinary creativity” and for her efforts on behalf of institutionalized children and other humanitarian causes.
“But he has my full support to come to my country and be offensive and bigoted there.”
PEN, the literary and human rights organization, honored advocates for speech and prisoners of censorship worldwide, from Egypt to Flint, Michigan. Thanks in part to Rowling’s star power, PEN raised more than $1.75 million, the highest total in memory for its fundraising ceremony.
Ahmed Naji, imprisoned in Egypt for the sexual content of his novel “The Use of Life,” was the winner of the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award.
