Bookmarks specialises in non-fictional and fictional books that concern politics, economics, anti-fascism, anarchism, labour history, trade unionism, arts and culture, anti-racism, the environment, biographies, and feminism.

The complaint concerned a 1993 essay by the political theorist Alex Callinicos included within The Balkans, Nationalism and Imperialism, a book by German published by Bookmarks in 1999.

British journalist Paul Foot penned an appeal for support and claimed that neither Hoare of Magas had approached Bookmarks Publications without their lawyers.

[10] In the article Foot wrote that: "It has been a long tradition in the labour movement that arguments between socialists should be conducted openly and should not, except in extreme circumstances, be tested in the courts by the libel laws.

The picket was initiated after the Socialist Workers Party invited jazz musician Gilad Atzmon to a talk at Bookmarks titled "Deconstructing Zionist Identity" on 17 June of the same year.

[12] Jews Against Zionism reported that Atzmon had discussed the theories of Austrian philosopher Otto Weininger at the event and had "not been received well" by attendees.

The campaign group Stand Up to Racism claimed that one individual wore a Donald Trump mask whilst other assailants held placards reading "British Bolshevik Cult."

[18] Michael Rosen wrote a special poem for the event that included the line: "Anytime we think they’re just having a laugh, let’s remember the joker with the toothbrush moustache.

The titles issued included Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials Trilogy.

[4] Bookmarks' manager, David Gilchrist, wrote in The Guardian that such events sprang from "a fertile ground prepared by Theresa May's “hostile environment” for migrants."