This is getting very complicated. Maybe they should stop trying to silence each other and start listening to each other. Both, neither, or one of these people might have trash views and ways of expressing those views, but if the board has already signed off on the invitation to the festival, then they need to back that decision. Only something quite heinous coming to light should demand a reconsideration.
Also if all these super smart people on these high flying boards can't find a way to strip away the power imbalances brought by personal connections at a writer's festival and provide a fair space for expression, then I'm worried for the meritocracy of the way board positions are given.....