10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Decentralized Anarchist Mesh Network (D.A.M.N)
Mesh radio offers anarchists digital communications infrastructure that we can deploy ourselves without dependence on corporate internet and mobile infrastructure. Mesh is a type of network where each device, or “node”, connects directly to multiple other nodes using Long Range (LoRa) transmitters. There is no central node.
In our workshop, we will talk about some of the advantages that Mesh networks offer to anarchists, such as: continued operations during electrical blackouts, natural disasters, or in off the grid locations. Mesh undermines corporate and state monopolies over communications infrastructure – for instance, if the state or some kind of policing body asked telecommunications companies to shut down mobile service in a given area cellphone communications, Mesh could continue to operate. We will also discuss some considerations regarding operational security as well as go over the basic hardware involved.
The Coming Climate Catastrophe
By now, it’s become a commonly accepted position among scientists and environmentalists that we are not going to be able to ‘prevent’ the effects of climate change. Rather, they are already unfolding, they are only going to get more severe, and the conversation shifts towards mitigation and durability.
But how severe are we talking? Nobody can say for sure. That said, this talk will attempt to summarize a number of current projections and trends, along with our personal analysis, and apply them to multiple facets of life in this part of the world. Mostly addressing climate in a geo- and ecological sense, with forays into the social and political, we hope to sketch out a more realistic view of just where we are headed.
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Anarchism 101
Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about “the beautiful ideal” and then some! Whether you’re new to world of anarchy and ready to jump right in, or cautiously curious and willing to dip your toes in the water, this workshop is for you. Arguably one of the most misunderstood political philosophies, anarchism includes elements of destruction, creation, and much in-between. Anarchist ideas have inspired struggles in the workplace, the home, and beyond; incited riots, rebellions, and revolutions; and provided the impetus for the creation of societal alternatives.
This workshop will introduce participants to the basic tenets of anarchist theory, practice, and history. It will provide an overview of different approaches to understanding anarchism; outline its key tenants and values; discuss the role of anarchists and anarchist ideas in social movements past and present; consider the role of anarchism in shaping everyday life; and look at concrete examples of anarchist projects
Introduction to Insurrectionary Anarchism
Come learn about the strain of anarchism that makes us so darn unpopular! This workshop will explore the history and ideas behind insurrectionary anarchism, an anarchist current that emphasizes informality, conflict, and attack. Insurrectionary anarchism believes that moments of uprising and breaks with normalcy are the key to social transformation (maybe even revolution!) and urges us to act now to prepare for these moments and to help bring them about.
We’ll look at examples of different groups and actions that have exemplified and developed these ideas over time. We’ll also discuss critiques, tensions, and possible limitations of these theories. Finally, we’ll talk about what this all means within our mostly pacified context of social peace in so-called Canada.
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Towards an Anarchist Analysis of Cancer
This workshop will start with a short presentation about the facilitator’s attempt at understanding her experience with breast cancer from an anarcho feminist perspective. Themes include the defunding of the healthcare system in Canada, the privatization of healthcare in Quebec, gender trouble in cancerland, the climate crisis and cancer treatment, and the cancer foundation industrial complex. After the presentation, there will be a discussion about the politics of cancer and cancer treatment.
Please keep in mind that the facilitator is not a trained trauma therapist, nor grief worker. While there are lots of emotional aspects of the cancer diagnosis and treatment experience, we will be trying to keep our discussion focused on analyzing our experiences collectively and finding political meaning together.
Elbows Up: On the Dangers of Canadian Nationalism
For years now, the Canadian settler-colonial project has been struggling with a branding issue. The country’s smug, polite national identity has been battered by images of militarized RCMP arresting Indigenous land defenders, mass graves uncovered at former Residential Schools, and flag-waving anti-vax trucker convoys. But in the wake of Donald Trump’s threats to annex the US’ neighbour to the north, Canadian patriotism is back with a vengeance.
This workshop will analyze the current political moment, and the emergent threats that anarchists will face in an environment of rising nationalism, coupled with a renewed pushed for extractivist infrastructure projects and the colonial repression that comes with them.
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Discussion: Building Resilient Movements
After a day of inspiration at the Bookfair, join us for an open discussion on what sustains our movements in difficult times. We invite you to think about examples of projects and groups that have longevity. What do they have in common? What can we learn as we work to sustain our movements now and into the future?