Canadian author Louise Penny has cancelled all upcoming appearances and engagements in the United States, the writer shared in a social media post on Friday afternoon.
“Given the ongoing threat of an unprovoked trade war against Canada by the U.S. president, I do not feel I can enter the United States,” she said.
“Please understand this decision is not meant to punish Americans,” the Order of Canada inductee continued. “This is about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with my fellow Canadians.”
Penny was scheduled to launch her book The Black Wolf at the Kennedy Center in Washington, but cancelled that event at the end of February, saying at the time that the event would have been a “career highlight.”
“But there are things far more important than that,” the award-winning mystery novelist explained. The Black Wolf will instead launch at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre on Oct. 28.
“I am hoping Americans will come to the Canadian events,” said Penny on Facebook. “You will be welcomed with open arms. As fellow villagers of Three Pines. Where goodness, and decency, exist.”
Since Trump fired former Kennedy Center board president Deborah F. Rutter on Feb. 12, a number of high-profile performers have cancelled or postponed appearances at the institution, including actress Issa Rae, musicians Ben Folds and Renee Fleming, and the touring production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton.
“This is a publicity stunt that will backfire,” posted Richard Grenell, interim executive director of the Kennedy Center, of Hamilton‘s cancellation, on X. Hamilton previously played at the Kennedy Center in 2018 and 2022. “The arts are for everyone – not just for the people who [Miranda] likes and agrees with.”