Saturday, Sept 4, 2021: Halifax Anarchist Bookfair!

Come and visit us this weekend, at our first tabling event in over 18 months! We will be tabling at the Halifax Anarchist Bookfair for both PM Press and Kersplebedeb; we will have copies of Necrocapitalism, Riding the Wave, False Nationalism False Internationalism, and all of the other titles we have published over the years, as well as recent PM titles like Red Nation Rising, Asylum for Sale, Working Class History, Queercore, and many many others! And of course we will also be bring books from other publishers we carry at leftwingbooks.net, like AK Press, Common Notions, Haymarket, Verso, Black Rose Books, and a whole bunch more. Looking forward to seeing you there!

halifaxanarchistbookfair.noblogs.org/

September 4th, 2021
~ For anarchists, and those curious about anarchism ~
FREE
Old Central Library, 5381 Spring Garden Rd.* (same location as last year) in Kjipuktuk, Unceded Mi’kmaq territory

We will not go back to “normal”. The pandemic has only intensified social control and surveillance, capitalism and colonialism, with those in power deepening their pockets through intensified industrial extraction, skyrocketing housing prices, and intolerable working conditions. While the defenders of this racist colonial system look out for their own interests, we know that we are the ones who must look out for and care for each other. The roots of ecological destruction, poverty, white supremacy, colonialism, police violence, patriarchy, etc lie within the construct of authority itself. Anarchism helps us to understand the roots of these systems of power, articulate our desires for self-determination, and dream of a world where all are free. It is crucial in these times that we find each other, create space to remember what liberation can feel like, share our grief and rage, and bring collective energy into our struggles.

The bookfair is for anarchists, those curious about anarchism, book lovers, and anyone simply questioning authority. It will feature publishers and book distributors, vendors, artists, and facilitators from all over North America/Turtle Island; the day/weekend will include workshops, discussions, kids’ activities, art exhibits, parties and more!

For a more Anarchic Halifax, and a freer, more joyful world (A)

Poster Artwork by Gabe Squalor

This is an unpermitted event. We will have a police liaison on site in case we are harassed by authorities. Last year there were no issues.

WEATHER:

As of right now it looks like the weather will be pleasant for us on Saturday – about 20 degrees and hopefully dry. If it seems likely it will rain a lot on Saturday, we will be postponing the event to Sunday.

WORKSHOPS:

10:30-11:45

Indigenous Sovereignty is Decolonization

Many anarchists have been inspired by and are in solidarity with Indigenous struggles for land, water and sovereignty. We have often found a shared foundation of values based in respect, protecting the land, and living free of oppression. How do anarchists act in solidarity with Indigenous Sovereignty and decolonization? How do we together, as anarchists and Indigenous peoples living on Turtle Island, struggle for the abolishment of colonial governments and liberation of all peoples?

Facilitated by Thunder Bird Swooping Down Woman and Tayla Fern Paul

12-1

Green Anarchy: Freedom at the Ends of the World

As what’s left of the world’s forests burn or get clear-cut for agriculture, you might wonder: how did we get here? What’s killing the world? In this workshop we’ll make the case that the root of this crisis lies in a way of life that alienates us from the living world and ourselves, one that treats the wide world like so much grist for the mill. We’ll argue that only living outside and against this world-eating system—and in reciprocity with the land and each other—affords us real agency. Then, if there’s time, we’ll talk some about how this way of seeing maps onto local issues of indigenous sovereignty, land defense, and resource extraction. We’ll talk a lot of ideas & a little action, with plenty of open discussion and time for questions.

PROTEST, DIRECT ACTION & CRIMINAL LAW:

Legal Rights, Who’s Vulnerable, Consequences & Possibilities

The point with the workshop and any materials provided is to provide information to help inform your decisions in planning, attending and / or in the aftermath of protests or any direct action. Nothing in these materials is intended to deter people from taking any action. I am not telling you not to do anything. The point is to provide information and resources to help inform you about risks that can arise in protest / direct action situations and to let you take it all into consideration.

This workshop does not claim to provide all the answers. Its aim is to leave participants with a better idea of the following:

What are your rights and what are the limits of relying on rights?

Police discretion and powers for detention and arrest

What happens if arrested and charged (the process).

Some good practices to prepare for demonstrations / actions?

Who is most vulnerable?

Common protest / direct action charges and when do they become more serious?

1-2

Rhythms of Resistance

Music can be a powerful force in the fight for social justice. Rhythms of Resistance is a network of activist samba bands all over the world and you can be a part of it! Join members of the Rad Rhythms group to learn how to use drums, coordinated rhythms, tactical frivolity, and passion to make protesting fun and engaging for everyone. After some discussion, participants in this workshop will be provided with various percussion instruments. We will learn hand symbols and some samba pieces that are guaranteed to liven up any gathering of radicals. No previous drumming or musical experience necessary!

2-3:15

Abolition as Collective Liberation

Abolitionist politics and perspectives have exploded into the Collective imagination as a result of uprisings against police violence this past year.   People who never considered the possibility of a world without prisons or cops before have jumped into advocating for this world and mobilizing on these terms.   But is a world without cops and prisons possible without radically transforming power relations as a whole?    How can we hold, leaders, and each other, accountable in ways that build collective power and stronger movements?   How can we build mass participation in the project of abolition and social transformation?

Facilitated by El Jones and Rachel Zellars

3:30-4:30

“You Can’t Police Yourself Out of a Pandemic: Anti-Authoritarian Strategies in an Age of Crisis”

This workshop takes aim at the dominant state-based responses to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and asks what we can learn from current and former anti-authoritarian responses to crisis and disaster that could pave the way to a more just and liberated society. Times of crisis and disruption are often capitalized on by the ruling class and the far right to consolidate power in the name of freedom or safety. As anti-authoritarians, we can do better. Beginning with a critical analysis of the state response to the pandemic in Nova Scotia and elsewhere, this workshop draws on lessons offered by grassroots anti-authoritarian responses to crisis to explore other ways forward. How can effective crisis response be a path to collective liberation? Come to the workshop and find out.

4:45-6

Housing Crisis, What’s Next?

The housing crisis in our region is accelerating, and leaving working class people and communities destroyed in its wake. For the last year, Halifax Mutual Aid has been working to build popular power in the community, alleviate the harshest effects of this crisis, and to apply pressure to local government – but it’s not enough. So what’s next? Join us for a facilitated discussion with HMA’s spokesperson to discuss and theorize about new organizational forms, strategies, and tactics that we can use to abolish the housing market, free the land, and create a housing system that brings housing for all.