Members of the Freedom of the Press advocacy group, PEN cancel their attendance at a fund raiser because PEN chose to honour the victims of the Charlie Hebdo massacre

Members of the Freedom of the Press advocacy group, PEN cancel their attendance at a fund raiser because PEN chose to honour the victims of the Charlie Hebdo massacre

Six prominent novelists are boycotting a New York literary gala next week to protest against French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo being honored with a freedom of expression award.

Australia’s Peter Carey, Canada’s Michael Ondaatje, British-born Taiye Selasi, and Americans Teju Cole, Rachel Kushner and Francine Prose have withdrawn from the May 5 PEN American Center gala.

They informed PEN over the weekend of their decision not to attend the glittering annual event, which is also a key fund-raiser, a month after the Charlie Hebdo award was first announced.

“They’ve all been in touch with us to say they didn’t feel comfortable attending,” PEN executive director Suzanne Nossel said.