Vick was scheduled to sign copies of his book, “Michael Vick: Finally Free," in three Barnes & Noble locations in Atlanta, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. That's not accidental, those areas are probably the only places in the country where at least some people like him.
But even there, his brutal past of animal cruelty is too incendiary and many have lodged complaints, including threats of violence, against Vick, his family and Barnes & Noble and its employees.
“While we stand by Michael Vick’s right to free speech and the retailers’ right to free commerce, we cannot knowingly put anyone in harm’s way, and therefore we must announce the cancellation of Mr. Vick’s book-signing appearances,” said Byron Williamson, president of Worthy Publishing. “We’ve been assured these threats of violence, which have been reported to the police, are being taken very seriously by local authorities.”
There has been a recent uptick in what a source close to Vick calls “credible threats of violence” directed toward the Eagles quarterback and his family.
The Barnes & Noble facebook page has been overrun—they're commenting on posts about Twilight—by protesting customers and according to Phillymag, at least one user threatened to "slit [Vick's] throat knowing how you treat animals." Others have proposed to throw dog shit at the store during any appearances.
Torturing and murdering innocent dogs is despicable and Vick should be aware by now that people will hate him forever because of it, but where is the incentive to rehabilitate yourself—after spending 19 months in jail—if you're getting dog shit thrown at you for selling a book?
Vick Appearances Cancelled Amid Threats Of Violence [Phillymag]