Festival Chief Warned That Removing Author Would Hurt Writers' Week

Topic: Arts Festivals

Emails show what happened with Randa Abdel-Fattah's appearance.

In short:

Emails show warnings and problems after Randa Abdel-Fattah's appearance was cancelled.

The festival chief said removing her would cause a big boycott.

The festival's financial officer said staff felt unsafe after the author was removed.

Staff got threats after the festival removed the author.

The festival warned the government about problems if the author was removed.

A former director and the author appeared at another event.

The festival chief sent an email about the author's appearance.

He thanked them for discussing the issue.

He said removing the author could cause problems.

Many writers might pull out if the author was removed.

The festival chief warned about a big boycott.

The premier wrote to the festival about the author's comments.

The author made comments about Zionists and Israel.

The festival board removed the author after the premier's letter.

The removal caused a big boycott and the event was cancelled.

The festival chief said a similar boycott happened at another event.

He said many writers would pull out of the festival.

He was concerned about the impact on the festival.

He said removing the author would hurt the festival.

Some writers might not agree with the decision.

First Nations artists might also pull out.

Many authors ended up pulling out of the event.

The former director resigned over the decision.

The festival chief said the decision was not about ignoring anti-Semitism.

He said it was about censorship and artistic freedom.

A government executive asked for an assessment of other writers.

Staff did not feel safe at work.

The festival's financial officer warned about staff safety.

The office doors were locked after staff got threats.

Some staff were personally targeted and pressured.

The author's appearance was cancelled and the event was later cancelled.

The financial officer said the removal caused a cultural crisis.

Staff did not feel safe at work.

The crisis was a real workplace health and safety issue.

The festival should not allow harassment or coercive behaviour.

The board needed to know the full reality of the situation.

The crisis was unfolding hour by hour.

The financial officer said the impact would be severe.

The event was cancelled after a mass boycott.

The financial officer said a reversal could cause short-term discomfort.

But it was the short term.

The risk to the festival's viability was not short-term.

The board needed to consider the reality of the situation.

The premier said his decision was based on what was right.

The ABC asked the festival for comment.

The premier was asked if he knew about the threats to staff.

The premier's spokesperson said he did not make his decision based on threats.

The premier said his decision was based on what was right.

The author's lawyer commented on the premier's decision.

The festival decided to remove the author and cancel the event.