Overview

• Alan Dershowitz filed a lawsuit after the Good Pierogi stand at West Tisbury Farmers Market refused to sell him pierogi on July 30, accusing the vendor of discriminating against his political views.
• A West Tisbury police officer told Dershowitz that political affiliation is not a protected class under Massachusetts law and that private vendors retain the right to refuse service.
• Dershowitz said he would be satisfied and might forego litigation if the market amends its rules to require vendors to sell to all customers regardless of political views.
• Market organizers are reviewing their policies and could adopt a rule mandating that all vendors serve every customer without regard to politics.
• Legal experts note that Massachusetts law and Supreme Court precedent, including Masterpiece Cakeshop, uphold private vendors’ right of refusal for non-protected classifications.