It would be easy to reduce the controversy over Patti Smith’s VersoFest appearance to a few contentious sentences:
A group protested the National Book Award winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s invitation to the 4th annual music/media and more event.
Citing her Instagram account, which included (among other things) a reposted flyer saying “Palestine belongs to Palestinians,” they called Smith antisemitic, and demanded the Library cancel her kickoff conversation with Westport journalist Alisyn Camerota.
The Library refused, citing its own commitment to “the free and open exchange of ideas.”
A group of about 75 people protested outside the Library an hour before Thursday’s event. Smith and Camerota went on as scheduled, in front of a sellout crowd of about 500.
Patti Smith at VersoFest. (Photo/Dinkin ESH Fotografix)
But that was not the whole story.
On a table near the Trefz Forum, 4 posters on 2 tables paid tribute to the 378 attendees killed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, at the Nova Music Festival.
Near flickering candles, the posters showed the young revelers.
“Music and art have the power to unite us in both darkness and light,” the first poster read.
“May these flames be a symbol of our shared humanity, and our unwavering belief that love is stronger than hate.”
One part of the Nova Music Festival display …
Another poster included the words to Bob Dylan’s universal anthem, “Blowin’ in the Wind.”
The display had been created in just 24 hours by Representative Town Meeting member Melissa Levy. And it was there because Library executive director Bill Harmer had heeded her request.
… and the other. (Photos/Sal Liccione)
Her pleas to Harmer — and his reversal of his previous position, to allow the counter-programming — is the real story of the Patti Smith controversy.
When she shared her concerns about Smith’s appearance in her first email to Harmer and Library board of trustees president Pat Wieser, and a subsequent meeting, antisemitism was on Levy’s mind.
Her 12-year-old son was recently a victim. (The school handled it swiftly and well, she says, and the young perpetrator and his family have been very open and receptive too.)
Noting that antisemitism and hate speech stem from a lack of education and awareness, Levy urged Harmer and Wieser to include counterbalanced programming at Smith’s VersoFest appearance.
Harmer said no.
Levy replied with some concrete ideas — including tying in the Nova Music Festival in Israel with Westport’s VersoFest.
On Wednesday — 24 hours before Smith’s appearance, and the demonstration that preceded it — Harmer said yes.
Melissa Levy
“He sent a lovely message,” Levy says. “He said this would be very meaningful, and he was happy to include it.”
And, the director told her, he looked forward to getting together after VersoFest to plan other activities.
Levy quickly put her display together.
On Thursday it was there in the Library, a few steps from the stage.
Yesterday, Harmer emailed Levy: “The display is now prominently centered in the Hub — front and center for everyone to see as they enter the Library.
“With an expected 3,000 people visiting over the next 3 days, our hope is that all of our festival-goers, community members and neighbors will take a moment to experience the powerful and thoughtful exhibit you’ve helped bring to life.
“We’re grateful for your collaboration and your commitment to honoring these stories in such a meaningful way. It’s a strong reminder of the role we all play in lifting up compassion and community.”
Levy says, “My goal was not to be divisive. Bill’s ‘180’ says a lot.
“I was willing to stand up for what I, and others, believed in. Bill had been focused on his ideas. But he came to the table. It’s good for the community to know that you can get your point across without being divisive.
“This shows how kind activism can lead to collaborative results. And that we have highlighted how important education and understanding are around these very sensitive subjects.
“This is the happiest ending I could have asked for.”
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