Writers Resist focuses on ideals of democracy, social justice

More than a dozen Rhode Island authors will come together Sunday, Jan. 15 for Writers Resist: Rhode Island, a “re-inauguration” of mercy, equality, free speech and the fundamental ideals of democracy.

Writers Resist will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday in the DiStefano Lecture Hall. Hosted by Salve Regina’s writer in residence Dr. Jen McClanaghan, the event will feature a diverse group of Rhode Island authors, including Karen Boren, Adam Braver, Tina Cane, Mary Cappello, Darcie Dennigan, Theo Greenblatt, Christopher Johnson, Erica Mena, Julie Danho O’Connell, Patch Tseng Putterman, Kate Schapira, Susannah Strong and more.

A short reading will be followed by an open forum/open mic. There will also be a fundraising raffle for Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island. The event is free and open to the public.

Simultaneous Writers Resist events will happen in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Oakland, Austin, Portland, Omaha, Seattle, London, Zurich, Hong Kong, Singapore and many more cities. The Manhattan event, to be held on the steps of the New York Public Library, is co-sponsored by PEN America and features some of the best-known writers in America.

These events originated from a Facebook post by poet Erin Belieu, co-founder of VIDA: Women in Literary Arts. Belieu challenged writers to organize to reclaim democracy, which led to the Writers Resist organizer’s forum, now boasting more than 2,000 members. From this, more than 70 events featuring countless prominent literary voices rapidly emerged.

For more information, visit writersresistri.org.