'Love will overcome any fear': Chautauqua patrons show resilience after Rushdie attack

CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. — Entering the Chautauqua Institution is like stepping into a world unto itself.

From its porch swings and well-trimmed gardens to the chatter of Bestor Plaza, where patrons play frisbee or sweat out a morning jog, the institution carries an enviable tranquility, an innocence kept at arm's length from the bustle beyond its gates.

But on Aug. 12, shortly before 11 a.m., that idyllic charm — which has made it a welcome venue for intellectuals, artists and public officials — was shattered, when renowned author Salman Rushdie was stabbed on stage at the institution's amphitheater.

The attack, which left Rushdie, 75, with potentially life-changing injuries, and another speaker, Henry Reese, 73, with a minor facial injury, came as a shock to the community.

What we know:What we know: Iran denies involvement, justifies attack on Rushdie

Reaction to the attack

How could this happen?

For nearly 150 years, the institution has prided itself as a safe haven for free expression, a place where families and friends gather in the summer for lectures and debate about faith, philosophy and current events. Evenings often feature popular touring musical acts. It is a place where crowds fill the amphitheater for a Sheryl Crow concert at night after a social justice lecture was held there during the day.

Long-time residents and weekend renters share porches in the side-by-side, so-close-you-can-touch-them neighborhood of cottages that surrounds the central amphitheater and other campus buildings.

It's a center dedicated to the "exploration of the best in human values," according to the organization's website. And even as Chautauqua Institution President Michael Hill assured the public that summer programming would continue, the prospect of a reluctant, even fearful, community seemed real.

Or so it seemed.

Days after the attack, patrons filled the 4,000-seat amphitheater to attend a lecture by Georgetown University professor Abigail Marsh on neuroscience and "New Profiles in Courage."

Bestor Plaza, the town square of the institution, was full of people, from bicyclists and dog walkers to families and friends enjoying an afternoon tea.

As Emily Morris, senior vice president and chief brand officer of the institution, said: the public doesn't want to give up on the institution.

"The only change that I've seen is a doubling down on our mission," she told the Erie Times-News.

"Our community has demonstrated amazing resilience, understanding, empathy and compassion. It's an authentic community. We have problems just like everyone else. But people who come here are uniquely dedicated to the human spirit — and they're not going to let anyone stop that."

Unfazed by attack, patrons continue to attend programs

Gail Collister, of Ohio, who's visited the institution for the past 10 years, was inside the amphitheater when Rushdie was attacked.

Describing the moment as "pandemonium," Collister, 71, voiced her sorrow that Chautauqua was unable to provide adequate security for Rushdie, who's been living under a 33-year death threat or fatwa from Iran due to his writings.

More on fatwa:Who is Salman Rushdie, author who was attacked on stage in New York?

She added, however, her passion for the institution has not changed, and the community — like herself — will overcome their grief and continue to support it.

"The people are hurt. They are wounded. But they're resilient and they will heal," she said. "We believe that love will overcome any fear. Love will overcome this act of hatred."

Ohio resident Jim Daprile, 73, who's visited the institution for the last 15 years, said the attack only strengthened his view that institutions like Chautauqua, which stress empathy and understanding, are vital.

"I think, like many, you can only overcome violence by doing what is right. And (that attack) is not going to stop my wanting to be here, wanting to participate in an environment that encourages dialogue and alternate views," he said.

Judy Feldman, of Dewittville, lauded the sense of community at the institution, and its decision to continue programming, insisting it plays a role in helping people heal.

Rushdie attack:'There was so much screaming.' Eyewitnesses reflect on Salman Rushdie attack, lax security

"There's a need to get back to what Chautauqua has to offer," she said.

Morris, seeing the high turnout of visitors in the days after the attack, said she was grateful for the community's trust.

"I think it's a signal that people are understanding the importance of what we do here," she said.

Security measures enhanced, but still being reevaluated

The institution is now requiring photo identification with all gate passes and tickets, and also enforcing a “no bag” policy in the amphitheater and its indoor performance venues.

Morris told the Times-News that "additional adjustments" to security have been implemented since the attack. She would not specify these adjustments for security reasons.

"We're continuing to look at what we're doing; what we will do for the remainder of this summer assembly and what we will do in the future," she said. "The whole entire security process continues to evolve."

One consideration is designating the institution's uniformed police officers as "peace officers." The designation would give these officers the ability to make arrests and communicate with police dispatch services.

New York State Assemblyman Andy Goodell, who represents Jamestown, N.Y., told the Times-News he's pushing legislation to make this change, following two failed attempts when former New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo vetoed the legislation.

"When you have thousands of people coming to hear a lecture by some of the nation's top individuals on particular subjects, it's important to have peace officers there with the ability access all the emergency radio communications — that are only generally available to the police — and the ability to make arrests," Goodell told the Times-News. "That's what our legislation does."

Goodell implored New York state Gov. Kathy Hochul, who appeared at Chautauqua Institution on Sunday, to turn her words of support into action by including the bill into her annual budget proposal.

Morris said the institution is open to the idea.

"Hopefully, it will happen," she said of the bill. "But while that is being pursued through legislative channels, we're also working with the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office and the New York State Police in creating procedures for security at the institution."

More on the suspect:Suspect in Salman Rushdie attack from Bergen County, author in surgery for stab wounds

Rushdie's attacker, identified as 24-year-old Hadi Matar of Fairview, New Jersey, has been charged with second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault.

Matar has been remanded to the Chautauqua County Jail without bail. Authorities have not commented on a possible motive.

A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNRao.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: After Salman Rushdie attack, Chautauqua Institution patrons unfazed