A group of protesters took aim at a popular bookstore in La Jolla April 4, upset because the owners of the store canceled an appearance by an author who wrote a book critical of SeaWorld’s killer whale shows. According to management, the decision to cancel author John Hargrove’s April 1 appearance at Warwick’s Bookstore wasn’t easy, though they felt it was necessary. Hargrove, a former SeaWorld trainer, was scheduled to appear at the bookstore to promote his book that criticizes SeaWorld. A day before his appearance, SeaWorld released a five-year-old video of Hargrove using racial slurs while under the influence of alcohol. The cancellation didn’t sit well with some local anti-SeaWorld activists, who showed up at the bookstore to protest the decision. The six or so protesters criticized the bookstore for giving in to what they say is a SeaWorld smear campaign. However, Julie Slavinsky says the protesters are misguided in thinking the store is pro-SeaWorld. Warwick’s hasn’t pulled Hargrove’s book from its store and insists that the conversation about SeaWorld’s practices is legitimate. — KFMB