Pierogi Protest: Dershowitz Booed at Martha's Vineyard Market

A Controversial Encounter at the Farmers Market

Alan Dershowitz, a 86-year-old attorney and prominent figure known for his defense of Donald Trump and advocacy for Israel, found himself in an unexpected situation at the West Tisbury Farmers Market on Martha’s Vineyard. Instead of enjoying a simple meal of pierogis, he was met with public shaming and boos from the crowd.

Dershowitz claims that he was denied service by a pierogi vendor on two separate occasions over the course of two weeks. The incident has sparked a significant debate about political beliefs, personal choices, and the ethics of refusing service based on one's views.

A History of Visits to Martha’s Vineyard

Dershowitz has been visiting Martha’s Vineyard since 1969, when he flew in from Fire Island to help defend Senator Ted Kennedy during the Chappaquiddick scandal. Every Wednesday, he would make his way to the farmers market, a routine that continued until last week. However, this time, things took a different turn.

On Wednesday, July 30, Dershowitz approached the pierogi stand after ordering corn and orange juice. He asked for six pierogis, which he described as reminiscent of his grandmother’s cooking. The vendor, however, refused to serve him, stating that they had plenty but simply wouldn’t sell to him.

Political Beliefs and the Decision to Refuse Service

Dershowitz believes the vendor recognized him and made the decision not to serve him due to his political views, specifically his vocal support for Israel and his past legal defense of Donald Trump. He also recalled wearing a “Proud American Zionist” shirt, which he had worn the previous week.

According to Massachusetts law, businesses are prohibited from refusing service based on race or other protected classes. However, political beliefs are not included under these protections. This left Dershowitz questioning the vendor's reasoning.

Good Pierogi owner Krem Miskevich later issued a statement explaining that their decision was partly based on Dershowitz’s past legal defense of Jeffrey Epstein. Miskevich expressed that he felt a surge of emotion upon seeing Dershowitz at the booth, referring to him as a high-profile attorney who represented sexual predators and abusers.

A Public Protest and Community Reaction

On August 6, Dershowitz returned to the Good Pierogi booth in an attempt to purchase the product. This time, protestors had gathered around the tent, anticipating the encounter. As Dershowitz approached the front of the line, he was once again denied service.

The crowd did not support him, instead chanting, "Time to go!" Musician and comic Ami Kozak, who was performing at the island’s Jewish Culture Festival, witnessed the event. He described Dershowitz's attempt to buy pierogis as a gesture of peace.

Kozak shared live footage of the incident on Instagram, expressing frustration that the situation could have been avoided if the vendor had simply sold him a pierogi. He criticized the vendor's actions, suggesting that the response was more about creating drama than upholding any ethical standards.

Divided Reactions and Ongoing Debate

Online comments reflected a divided reaction to the events. Some praised Good Pierogi for standing by their ethics, while others called the vendor’s actions "totally off base." Kozak noted that the incident highlighted the ongoing tension between political beliefs and personal choices.

Despite the controversy, neither Dershowitz nor Miskevich has issued a public statement regarding the events of August 6. The situation remains unresolved, leaving many to ponder the implications of such decisions in a community that values diversity and inclusion.