‘We feel the love’: Epstein survivors overwhelmed by messages of support at pop-up art exhibition

Visitors to a traveling exhibition shedding light on Jeffrey Epstein's crimes have left thousands of heartfelt messages expressing their support and solidarity. The Donald J Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room, first displayed in a New York City gallery in May, features investigative files related to Epstein's case. The exhibition aims to draw attention to the sexual abuse of teenage girls and the systemic failure of law enforcement to act on this.

David Garrett, founder of the event organizer Institute for Primary Facts, had the idea of creating an interactive exhibit by placing a cork board in the final room so that visitors could leave notes. Initially, Bensky, an Epstein survivor, was "a little worried" about the potential exploitation of survivors, but she was soon overwhelmed by the amount of love and support she encountered. Bensky reflected on how the notes gave her hope in the face of years of institutional failures.

The notes contain messages of empathy, such as "We're here with you, we stand with you, and we believe you," and range from personal to universal. Some notes are written directly to the survivors, while others are written to themselves, providing a sense of community and connection. Even members of survivors' families have left notes, further emphasizing the impact of the exhibition.

Stein, another Epstein survivor, echoed Bensky's sentiments, stating that the notes represent the overwhelming love and support they receive. She reiterated that even if they do not know individual names, they "feel the love." The sheer volume of notes left by visitors, approximately 12,500 to 13,000, is a testament to the power of these messages.