Writers Resist was launched after the recent elections by poet Erin Belieu, to encourage us to recommit our focus to the fundamental ideals of democracy and social justice for all.
The flagship Writers Resist event, co-sponsored by PEN America, is being held on Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday, January 15, 2017, in New York City. Prominent writers, including American poet laureates Robert Pinsky and Rita Dove, will gather on the steps of the New York Public Library to “re-inaugurate” their commitment to the fundamental principles of democracy. Throughout the US and in other countries, other events will take place where invited speakers will read from a curated selection of diverse writers’ voices that speak to the ideals of Democracy and free expression. The public is encouraged to attend.
Writers Resist is not affiliated with a political party. We wish to bypass direct political discourse in favor of an inspired focus on the future, and how we, as writers, can be a unifying force for the protection of democracy. In order for us to heal and move forward, individually and as a nation, we believe people need something to be for in this anxious moment. We believe these events will coalesce and energize a widespread network of writer-activists throughout the United States and in other countries capable of becoming a consistently potent voice and force for social good around the world.
BLOOMINGTON WRITERS RESIST will be held 3-5pm on Sunday, January 15, 2017, in the Whikehart Auditorium at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center, 122 South Walnut Street, Bloomington. Our readers will include Scott Russell Sanders, Mihee Kim-Kort, Adrian Matejka, Catherine Bowman, Joe Betz, Emily Bobo, Paul Daily, Derek Mong, Christine Brandel, & Samantha Levy-Arnold. There will be an open mic and appropriate readings available for those who’d like to participate. We will also have information about community resources available. We will be accepting donations, all of which will go to Bloomington Pride.
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