Dear Fellow PEN Members,

As many of you know, China is in the midst of the most severe crackdown on freedom of expression in years, and its most famous artist, Ai Weiwei, is its latest victim. I am writing to you today to join the chorus of voices of artists, writers, and scholars from around the world in calling for his release.

Ai Weiwei, a frequent critic of the government through his art, blogs, and Twitter messages, was detained at Beijing International Airport on April 3, 2011, while preparing to board a flight to Hong Kong, where he was planning to participate in artistic exchange activities. Later that day police raided his home and studio, questioned his wife and eight assistants, and confiscated computers. No news was given about his whereabouts or the reason for his arrest until April 8, 2011, when it was reported by the official Chinese News Agency Xinhua that Ai Weiwei was under investigation for suspected involvement in “economic crimes,” a charge that is believed to be a ruse to silence his voice. Ai Weiwei’s whereabouts remain unknown and there are mounting concerns for his welfare.

Please join me in signing this petition, created by the Guggenheim Foundation, and writers and artists all over the world, in calling for his immediate release.

Click here for more information on Ai Weiwei’s case.

Thank you,

Anthony Appiah
President