Joan Baez gave a concert in Idaho Falls a little while ago. As is typical for many of the performers who were active in the peace movement during the Vietnam era, her concert venue was picketed by a group of veterans who accused her of betraying them and her country by her actions.
According to an account:
“Rather than ignore the protest, which would have been the easiest thing to do, or get into a nasty argument with the men about their signs, Baez choose the to engage them in an exemplary nonviolent fashion. According to Daily Kos:
Joan was informed that the men were protesting her concert about an hour before it was due to begin and she immediately walked out onto the street to talk to them. When she approached, one of the first things they said was ‘We appreciate the work you did on civil rights and women’s rights.’ They wanted to make that point clear.
She listened closely as they discussed their views. Primarily, they wanted to express the way they felt betrayed by anti-war protesters when they returned from combat. Joan assured them that she stood by them then and now. They had mixed reactions as she explained her actual positions and her support for all veterans, across the board.”
Read the full report here.