Joan Rivers Escorted From Costco After Protest
By KTLA News
Burbank, CA (KTLA) — Comedienne Joan Rivers had to be escorted from a Costco store in Burbank Tuesday after she appeared inside, loudly protesting the fact that her new book was not for sale there.
The 79-year-old acid-tongued celebrity erupted inside the store. Witnesses told KTLA that Rivers handcuffed herself to a shopping cart before she used a bullhorn to continue her tirade.
Stunned customers may have been laughing at the spectacle, but Rivers told KTLA that she didn’t find anything about the incident funny.
“It’s about First Amendment rights,” she said. “Costco banned my book because of one word on the back cover. I feel like this is a country where the people should have the right to have the literature they want.”
“This is the beginning of Nazi Germany,” Rivers remarked.
Rivers was on the Costco premises for about 30 minutes with an entourage in tow — including a full-blown camera crew.
Police eventually arrived and escorted her and her people off the property.
“The worst thing about Costco was they kicked me out without giving me any free samples,” Rivers said.
She said she is a loyal Costco customer and plans to continue shopping at the wholesale stores.
