Hundreds of people attended the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market this week to show support for the pierogi vendor who refused to sell dumplings to prominent attorney Alan Dershowitz.
Hundreds of people attended the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market this week to show support for the pierogi vendor who refused to sell dumplings to prominent attorney Alan Dershowitz at the market last week.
Just a few minutes into the start of the market Wednesday, located on the Agricultural Hall grounds, a large line formed at Good Pierogi. The stand denied Mr. Dershowitz a half dozen pierogi last Wednesday, garnering headlines in the national press and condemnation from Mr. Dershowitz.
The lines were long at the farmers' market this week.
The lines were long at the farmers' market this week.
“A big thing that we do every summer is to come out and support the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market, and after everything going on with Good Pierogi, we really want to show our support for the Island and support them,” said Emily Carito as she waited in line. “They are the best pierogies on the Island.”
The afternoon prior, Good Pierogi chef and co-owner Krem Miskevich released a statement on Instagram directly addressing the incident with Mr. Dershowitz that took place on July 30.
Miskevich said that they decided to not sell pierogi to Mr. Dershowitz because of his conscious decision to befriend and defend men who have been accused of abusing and harming women. Mr. Dershowitz, a longtime seasonal Chilmark resident known for taking on controversial clients, has represented Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Epstein, OJ Simpson and President Donald Trump.
In their statement, Miskevich said that their food is a labor of love, and selling to Mr. Dershowitz would be the equivalent of supporting his decisions and statements.
“I have no desire to argue about the legal system in the U.S., or one’s right to a fair trial,” Miskevich wrote. “But, I personally know too many sexual abuse survivors.”
Krem Miskevich prepares a pierogi plate.
Krem Miskevich prepares a pierogi plate.
After being refused pierogi last week, Mr. Dershowitz raised the potential of a lawsuit and called on the farmers’ market to only allow vendors who will sell to all customers.
Mr. Dershowitz, who is Jewish and often wears a shirt that reads “Proud American Zionist” at the market, was at the Agricultural Hall grounds on Saturday for the market, and, according to Miskevich, was handing out flyers that claimed the chef was an antisemite. During an airing of Mr. Dershowitz’s podcast, Mr. Dershowitz also said he believed he was denied pierogis because of his support for Israel.
In their post, Miskevich articulated that they are Jewish, have personal relationships with both Rabbis on-Island, and stand against those who harm or seek to harm others, as well as those who would defend them.
Mr. Dershowitz made another stop at the market on Wednesday, the day that Good Pierogi is present, and attempted to again get an order of dumplings. He argued that nobody, regardless of their beliefs or identity, is to be denied service.
“I predicted that there would be a very long line because much of Martha’s Vineyard is very anti-Israel and if he [they] had refused to sell to a non-binary person or a transgender person there would not be a single person on line, but he [they] refused to sell to a Zionist and everybody supports that,” Mr. Dershowitz said in an interview with the Gazette on Wednesday at the market.
“If the farmers market doesn’t change its rules, then the issue will be determined by the courts,” he continued.
Crowds migrated toward the perimeters of the Good Pierogi booth as Mr. Dershowitz took his place in line with the book The Ten Big Anti-Israel Lies. He had brought the book to give to Miskevich, and had inscribed a note reading “please learn the truth.”
Miskevich, their spouse Lily Rose and worker Talia Weingarten, respectfully did not accept the book.
Krem Miskevich gets a hug from Lily Rose, left, and Talia Weingarten.
Krem Miskevich gets a hug from Lily Rose, left, and Talia Weingarten.
“This is not a cross examination, this is a conversation,” Ms. Weingarten said to Mr. Dershowitz, evoking cheers from the crowd. “My Jewish culture is a history of resistance against genocide, we are not antisemites, we stand against oppression of all people,” she continued.
As the conversation continued, people surrounding the tent began to chant “time to go” at Mr. Dershowitz.
Ethan Buchanan-Valenti, manager of the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market, stepped in and said Good Pierogi had asked him to intervene. After an assessment of the situation, he requested Mr. Dershowitz take the conversation off the premises.
After the crowds dissipated and Mr. Dershowitz exited pierogiless, Mr. Buchanan-Valenti said his plan for the day had always been to maintain a business-as-usual approach.
“I let my vendor know that if they were feeling uncomfortable, to reach out to me, and that’s what I’m here for,” he said.
Alan Dershowitz enjoyed a juice, but went home pierogiless.
Alan Dershowitz enjoyed a juice, but went home pierogiless.
The farmers’ market did send out a statement Tuesday saying the market’s board had reviewed its internal bylaws after last week’s incident. The market informed both the vendor and Mr. Dershowitz that their responses were inappropriate and both parties were asked to refrain from doing the same in the future.
“The West Tisbury Farmers’ Market is not and should not become a place for political discourse, hurtful accusations, or harassment,” the market said in the statement.
Some protestors did show up at the market Wednesday, carrying signs, cutout heads of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein and body cameras.
Protestor Rod Webber said he was there to support the pierogi stand and fight against the actions of Mr. Dershowitz.
“I think what Alan has been doing is bullying of the worst order and trying to turn it into a grandstand to keep himself relevant and to keep himself in the media, when the reality is that the people here on Martha’s Vineyard, the people at Harvard, the people in all aspects of his life have shunned him,” Mr. Webber said.
Ethan Buchanan-Valenti steps in.
Ethan Buchanan-Valenti steps in.
Mr. Webber and another protestor confronted the attorney, asking questions about Mr. Epstein. Security intervened in response to Mr. Dershowitz’s request for more space.
After the ordeal, Mr. Buchanan-Valenti took the day’s events in stride, noting that the businesses at the market were having a banner day.
“All of my vendors have ridiculous business, so that’s what’s making me happy,” he said.
Comments
“If the farmers market doesn
Bill Chilmark“If the farmers market doesn’t change its rules, then the issue will be determined by the courts,” he continued.
Interesting, as I witnessed his wife tell the Good Pierogi team today "he was never going to sue, that is just how he is, those are just words that came out of his mouth".
Of course he won't because he wouldn't come within a mile of winning. He knows as much, which is why he settles for stunts. I'll settle for a few more pierogi.
Excellent reporting, Ellie
Brooke Bartletta West Tisbury, MAExcellent reporting, Ellie Stevenson.
My gosh what is happening in
Jean WTMy gosh what is happening in my great home town! Please all be kind!
Few weeks ago a public building official now this? Let’s all be nice!
Il
We should not discriminate
Janet ChilmarkWe should not discriminate…the sad thing about this is, it will go to court or some form of litigation and cost a lot of money, over some silly perorgis??? This should have never happened.
Grow up every one!! Life is to short..
Alan certainly enjoys being
Debbie ChilmarkAlan certainly enjoys being the center of attention. I'm happy he helped the Good Pierogi have a banner day.
No matter what side of the
Mark EdgartownNo matter what side of the fence you are on; "pierogiless" as stated in the aforementioned article, by the excellent writers at the Gazette, may very well qualify to be added to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as one of the "Top 100 Defining Words" of 2025.
Alan, my offer still stands.
Tom Engley West WarsawAlan, my offer still stands. I’ll be your straw agent for the pierogies, but the price has gone up.
Alan has made the point that
joanne ChilmarkAlan has made the point that the Ag Society is "quasi-governmental" because it accepts grants from the town and other government entities. If he is correct, then Good Pierogi is expressing a political view that is sacredly protected "political speech" under the First Amendment. The Ag Society, if it is in fact governmental, as Alan asserts, cannot silence political speech. It is THEIR rights that are violated if the bylaws are changed to silence them.
Dershowitz is just plain
Fred Off IslandDershowitz is just plain wrong. Accepting government money does not make an entity a "state actor" for purposes of civil rights laws.
So many good and kind people
Heather Craig EdgartownSo many good and kind people on this island. Why does Mr. Dershowitz feel the need to be the center of attention and dominate headlines every summer? Chilmark librarians, Larry David kerfuffles, pierogies. Enough, please.
Dershowitz has been pulling
Cindy Ireland ConnecticutDershowitz has been pulling this for years. A friend who owns a beautiful outdoor venue was asked (decades ago) by Dershowitz if he could hold a wedding there. When he was told that it wasn't available for rental by the public, he immediately threatened to sue the owner.
I guess inclusion is no
Lucy EdgartownI guess inclusion is no longer a Democrat ideology nor political stance. How about we all wear our MAGA hats to the market next week?
Go for it. You have the right
Fred Off IslandGo for it. You have the right to express yourself free of government interference. As do people who express their opinions to you about your hat. They are no more legally required to serve Dersh than, hypothetically speaking, a Christian bakery would be to make a wedding cake for two women getting married. Supreme Court said so.
Unfortunately, you seem to
Harry New JerseyUnfortunately, you seem to lack legal knowledge. The court ruled that the baker/artist cannot be required to design a cake that expresses an idea contrary to his own conscience. However, refusing to sell a standard product to a buyer can constitute enforceable discrimination, depending on state law.
People, have your opinions,
John Mort Atwood Circle, EdgartownPeople, have your opinions, but my gosh is this just juvenile. No one outside of the MV "bubble" cares!! Last time I checked, all dollar bills were green, no matter who carries them. Move on and be nice and stop trying to make a statement.
Oh no, we care. Over here in
Jules EnglandOh no, we care. Over here in Europe, not selling Alan any bangers and mash.
Not Islanders, but we care!
Theresa PennsylvaniaNot Islanders, but we care! Sometimes all we have are perogies with which to express our civic duty. My Polish ancestors would be proud.
I'm going to carry home what
rob the roofer new jerseyI'm going to carry home what I carry in, be quite at night in line at back door doughnuts and ignore the skunks I promise. I just appreciate the Island and can't wait to be there in September.
Loving this reporting!!
Jim Johnston Oak BluffsLoving this reporting!! Wonderful work at the farmers market!!
Alan performs his annual
Mark R Vineyard BoundAlan performs his annual routines knowing Alan will get attention. Sometimes locally. Sometimes nationally.
Deprive Alan of said attention and Alan will slowly cease his annual routines. Such is the time immemorial manner of dealing with the bully or the small child having a tantrum.
Alan will not be happy, of course. But the Vineyard and its residents do not exist for Alan's pleasure or lack thereof.
This hate being spewed is
Peter Larsen IGNACEThis hate being spewed is sickening. All people should be served!!
Doesn't matter who they voted for or support they should b served.
As far as who Alan has defended in the past present and future should not b a viable or legal reason not to serve him.
Lawyers take an oath and they have to give everyone the best defense possible! IT'S THE LAW!
This man is 86yrs old I believe he's had a stellar career and yes defending the worst of the worst but what does that have to do with 6 perogies?
He should have been served just like every other customer.
If we allow this type of behavior to deny service because of race religion or because of their job we are headed down a dark path!
I don't think you read the
karen marie ArizonaI don't think you read the article. The pierogi vendor said explicitly that he refused to sell to Dershowitz because of his involvement with sexual abuse of minors and his support of sex offenders. It had nothing to do with who Dershowitz did or did not vote for, just as it had nothing to do with Dershowitz being a Zionist.
You got that right!
Ellen T Miller Vineyard HavenYou got that right!
Counterpoint, no.
Nesto Makhno Vineyard Have/UkraineCounterpoint, no.
Make no mistake. I’m not a
Kate D West TisburyMake no mistake. I’m not a fan of some Dershowitz’s clients and abhor the crimes that many of them have committed. But according to the US Constitution, everyone is entitled to a fair trial with counsel. Someone has to defend these awful people. That said, perhaps Mr. Dershowitz could spend less time grandstanding at the Farmers Market and more time doing pro bono work for the hundreds of thousands of ICE victims who have been carted off with absolutely no respect for THEIR Constitutional rights. Don’t they deserve the same counsel?
If he dosen't want to serve
Jill NH OB summerIf he dosen't want to serve than don't. I understand Weinstein, Epstien, Simpson, but what does D Trump have to do with this list?
WOW - talk about a dust-up.
Lee Off IslandWOW - talk about a dust-up. Let me see if I have the facts straight. Mr Dershowitz went to the farmers market to get pierogi's. He didn't go there to cause a commotion or call attention to himself, he went to get pierogi's.
Krem Miskevich, the pierogi maker, made the decision to call attention to Mr. Dershowitz because of Krem's support of victims of sexual abuse and their belief that Mr D does not share their views.
One must ask the question - what did Krem Miskevich's actions do to benefit victims of sexual abuse ??
It would be a great ending to this story if Krem and Mr Dershowitz could put aside differences and find some common ground and have a joint fund raiser for victims of sexual abuse.
I am more offended by Ms.
Jane MVI am more offended by Ms. Rose’s shirt than anything else.
You didn't serve a criminal
UmYou didn't serve a criminal defense lawyer because...he has clients that have been charged with crimes?
The only thing that offends
Tony SeattleThe only thing that offends me is that all of you are eating pierogi. That alone calls for all involved to be banished to the wasteland of Antarctica. Now if we were talking calzones...
As I’ve said in earlier posts
John Aldeborgh KatamaAs I’ve said in earlier posts, I’m not necessarily a fan of Mr. Dershowitz but I believe he’s correct in what he’s doing here. Anyone who believes Alan Dershowitz isn’t a man of integrity is simply wrong. You may disagree with him, on many levels, but he always does what he believes is right and he respects the law. How someone of genuine character can be refused service by island farmers is shameful in my opinion. Inclusivity, by definition requires that people with different views are respected and welcome, that clearly isn’t the case here.
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