Ottawa Anarchist Bookfair

Agreements & Values

  • This bookfair is taking place on stolen, unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin Anishinaabe territories, which the settler-colonial state of so-called “Canada” claims authority over. We are committed to supporting Indigenous movements for sovereignty and Land Back and operating in solidarity with Indigenous resistance and organizing however we can. We also recognize that as settlers on Turtle Island, we are part of the wider colonial and imperial problem that continues to exist and oppress Indigneous communities to this day; as anarchists and leftists our resistance to state structures must extend beyond a relationship of convenience with Indigenous movements and work to build real connection and solidarity.
    • We are organizing this bookfair -the first in this region in decades- in large part because we need to find each other. We have been all been fractured, isolated and alienated to differing extents by colonialism, capitalism, and western individualism. We hope this event will be a space of exchange and connection to start to build the solidarities needed to support ourselves and each other outside of a hierarchical, state-embedded framework. Anarchist bookfairs are meant to distribute information and teach people skills that are actively antagonistic to colonial state apparatuses. These skills are essential to experiment with and internalize in order to be meaningful and effective accomplices to Indigenous resistance and sovereignty.
      • Anarchism is not the be-all-end-all of decolonization and liberation, but we believe it can be an effective tool for undertaking some of that work. It is our hope that hosting this bookfair in so-called “Ottawa” will help connect isolated and alienated people, inspire others to organize and take action against capitalism, imperialism, and colonialism, and provide a little joy and respite to those caught in the gears of the war machine.
      • As organizers, we echo the anti-police sentiment felt across most anarchist spaces and our actions will reflect our feelings. As such, we commit to make this a cop-free space to the best of our abilities. As an alternative, we have a team of volunteers to assist with any concerns, conflicts or problems that may arise. These include a de-escalation and mediation team, a medic team, and a harm reduction team equipped with first aid kits and nalaxone, amongst other volunteers. 
        • It is important to mention that the space in which our event takes place, namely the Jack Purcell community center, is a city of Ottawa property and its employees might feel the need to call the police, or other services, as they see fit. If a situation arises where 911 is called or the police show up to the event space for whatever reason, we will have a police liaison that would mediate between the organizers, the concerned parties, and the police or other carceral services present.
      • We recognize and condemn the destructive nature of capitalism and imperialism, and strive to make all feel included in this space. The event is free for all to attend, and we will be offering free food, drinks, clothing, and workshops. We also encourage vendors to offer at least one pay-what-you-can option (including $0) at their tables.
      • Although several of the organizers identify and resonate with anarchism as a political label, we recognize that this term was born in a western imperial and colonial context as a response to the social, political, and economic conditions of those settings. Many marginalized, non-western, and Indigenous communities around the world and on Turtle Island (including some of our organizers) may feel that the term does not reflect their political orientation, although they identify and engage with certain aspects of it. Others, from a wide range of groups, are also still exploring it and may also not fully identify with it. We would like for those people to feel welcomed and included in this space too, and recognize the limitations and nuances of anarchism, anarcho-curiousity and autonomous organizing. 
      • We condemn and reject all forms of discrimination and exclusion including, but not limited to, racism, misogyny, queerphobia, transphobia, ableism, fatphobia, classism, and others. Any behaviours or speech that are deemed bigoted are not welcome in this space, whether from organizers, vendors, and attendees. We recognize and denounce the prevalence of gendered and racialized violence in leftist spaces. In line with our values of abolition and restorative justice, we will center the needs and experiences of survivors in preventing and/or responding to harm. As an anarchist space, we also acknowledge the hierarchies and power imbalances that often arise in leftist spaces due to race, class, gender, and other factors, and are committed to challenging them in this space.
        • Please do not be afraid of speaking up against any of these issues should they arise, and our organizers and volunteers will support you as best as they can.
      • Consent should be at the center of interactions within this space. Please respect and accommodate the boundaries of both vendors and attendees, no harassment or non-consensual interactions will be tolerated. Within the main bookfair space we are asking everyone to refrain from taking photos to ensure attendee, vendor, and organizer privacy and circumvent online surveillance.