Anderson's Bookshops' Statement:

April 1, 2009


Due to our concerns about the safety of our customers and staff, we
have regretfully decided to cancel the scheduled appearance of Bill
Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn for an April 8 event at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville.


Anderson's Bookshops host hundreds of authors and newsmakers each year and will continue to do so. The hysterical and ugly comments about the appearance multiplied each day and we feared our customers and staff might be in physical jeopardy if we held the scheduled program.


We are not happy about having to make this decision. Bookstores play an integral part in the process by which ideas are disseminated and debated. Debate is essential in our society, and we take seriously our responsibility to promote ideas, including those that we personally do not endorse or condone.

This week freedom of speech was threatened. We plan to host a town meeting-type freedom of speech forum to provide an outlet for examining how respectful discourse can enrich our lives and our community. Details will be made available when our event is set.