On November 9 police officer Paul O'Neill of the Christchurch Central police station came to the bookshop, saying he was passing on "concern" from officials at the United States Antarctic Program (USAP) base about the "anti-American character" of the bookshop's window display. The shop's windows featured demands such as "End imperialist war against Afghanistan," "Oppose attacks on unions, immigrants, workers' rights," and "Build unity with struggles of working people."

Officials have stepped up security at the U.S. base and, according to the Press, police in the region have developed "anti-terrorist strategies." District commander Superintendent John Reilly said "police suspicions had been aroused by a few anti-American incidents in the last couple of weeks. 'People with placards that have been uncomplimentary to the United States, for example,'" the Press reported.

In a message of support to the Pathfinder Press Bookshop, Jim Gladwin explained that at the first meeting of the Auckland "Anti-imperialist Coalition," formed to oppose the war in Afghanistan, two policemen turned up. "They wanted to know what the meeting was about--while making no direct threats--and this was read by all present as an intimidatory 'we've got our eyes on you' threat."

The Press ran an article November 16 titled "Police visit to bookshop 'intimidation,'" in response to a press release by the Pathfinder Bookshop calling for protests against this police harassment. Officer O'Neill told the paper he was simply carrying out instructions to speak to the bookshop management about the display.

Art Brown, spokesperson for the U.S. Antarctic Program, said he was aware some Americans in Christchurch had expressed concern about the shop display to USAP management. He asserted that management had been unconcerned about it, considered it "a dead issue," and was surprised the issue had resurfaced.

The Wellington Evening Post ran an article titled "Row over antiwar display" on the same day.

Following the Press article, a young man came to the bookshop to look at the display, saying, "You have every right to express your views in your window." Other supporters came by to express their solidarity. At a march against the war November 16, there was widespread condemnation of the police harassment among the participants.

The bookshop has received messages of support from a number of individuals and organizations, including people fighting for Maori sovereignty, individuals opposed to the war in Afghanistan, and others simply expressing their outrage at the police action.  
 
 
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