City of Asylum

Thanks to Erik, who pointed out the reference in a P-G story about Salman Rushdie's upcoming visit to Pittsburgh, I learn that Pittsburgh is the newest and fourth city to be included in the Cities of Asylum program, which provides refuge to writers who are persecuted in their native countries. The Pittsburgh entry on the program website reads as follows:

Huang Xiang, China
Pittsburgh made its debut as the newest city of asylum in November, 2004. Writer/painter Huang Xiang is considered to be the pre-eminent post cultural revolution poet of China. His unceasing bravery, in the face of sure re-imprisonment, and further torture, forced him to leave his homeland. For more information about the Pittsburgh City of Asylum, email Ralph Reese at: rreese@reesebrothers.com