Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling appeared at PEN America’s annual Literary Gala to accept the 2016 PEN/Allen Foundation Literary Service Award. The organization presents this award to authors whose work fights repression and censorship around the world.
Sarah Jessica Parker gave an introduction for Rowling. After the author came on stage, she gave an acceptance speech that contained references to censorship, freedom of expression and a petition banning the presence of presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump from the United Kingdom. The video embedded below features Rowling’s full remarks. Here’s an excerpt from Rowling’s piece:
“Now, I find almost everything that Mr. Trump says objectionable. I consider him offensive and bigoted. But he has my full support to come to my country and be offensive and bigoted there. His freedom to speak protects my freedom to call him a bigot. His freedom guarantees mine. Unless we take that absolute position without caveats or apologies, we have set foot upon a road with only one destination. If my offended feelings can justify a travel ban on Donald Trump, I have no moral grounds on which to argue to those offended by feminism or the fight for transgender rights or universal suffrage should not oppress campaigners from those causes.”