action footage of the book-bust of 4th October 2002 - a glimpse of Police State Oxford
Borders bookshop, 9 Magdalen Street, Oxford OX1 3AD, Friday 4th October
2002. Andrew Malcolm is scheduled (contracted) to give a book-signing and
talk that evening, as advertised in leaflets, in The Oxford Times
and Oxford Daily Info that day (and previously), and on Borders' own
website. At lunchtime, the staff are notified that the event is 'cancelled'. They are given no explanation.
Borders: books, music, cafe, bullshit
"4th October, 7.00 pm. ANDREW MALCOLM One of Oxford's most controversial
figures introduces his books Making Names and The
Remedy."
Oxford Times notice and Borders website, 4th October 2002
4th October, 6.45 pm. Malcolm arrives, finds no window display, and people being turned away, told that he has "pulled out". The books are nowhere in the shop, and are eventually found locked in a back office. Malcolm removes the "event cancelled" notices on the tills, a small crowd gathers (15), and assembles downstairs in the Sport Section (yes) where the book-signings are held.
Enter the Stasi (led by A. J. Williams, the General Manager): "This is private property... We do not have to give you
a reason."
The punters turn, a Prof in the van. (Rob Williams of Satin Demon behind him.)
The meeting is encircled, the table and chairs are forcibly removed.
3 squad cars back-up, 6-8 plod: a Literary in Mag Street. Isn't that the martrys' memorial? What's that smell?
Flak jackets on boys, it's meet-the-author time! The philosopher outmarched.
PC Dave commiserates.... advises suing Borders.... shakes a hand.
When the (thoroughly decent) police asked the Borders security men why
on earth they were breaking up an amiable scheduled talk, they were told: "It has been deemed an inappropriate event... It has been decided that Mr Malcolm's books are rubbish."
The angry punters were invited by the bookshop staff (and advised by the
police) to make legal claims against Borders' Head Office and to draw attention
to this website. The person and address to write to is: Vin Altruda (Borders Vice-President of
Operations) Borders Incorporated 100 Phoenix Drive Ann Arbor MI
48108 USA telephone 001-734-477-1320, fax
001-734-477-1639
SUBSEQUENT QUOTES
"We have been told that nothing happened." BBC Oxford newsroom
"We sincerely regret and apologise for the
cancellation of Andrew Malcolm's event in
Oxford, which should have gone ahead." Vin Altruda, President, Borders International &
Philip Downer, Managing Director, Borders U.K.
