Statement of Intent

ACAB 2024 Statement of Intention

We are facilitating this bookfair within a dominant culture of white supremacist hetero-patriarchy built on numerous interconnected systems of oppression. We know that power often replicates itself in radical and subcultural spaces, even when participants are committed to liberation. Therefore we cannot guarantee that the open, public event we’ve organized will be a safe space, but we ask participants to commit to a shared vision of solidarity and collective care.

We have zero tolerance for racism, misogyny, queer/transphobia, and ableism. As anarchists, we support autonomous action to raise consciousness and co-create a better world; thus we invite all participants to directly address concerning behaviors that occur during the bookfair, while striving not to treat others as disposable. While organizers will not act as police or arbiters of external conflicts, we reserve the right to ask anyone to leave if their actions are harmful to the bookfair or other participants. If you experience harassment, abuse, assault, or other violence during the event and want support from organizers, please let us know.

We want this event to be accessible to anyone who is genuinely interested, and some attendees will be new to anarchism, lacking the language and experience to gracefully navigate politically charged conversations. When possible, we believe that an open-minded and welcoming approach to such encounters serves to strengthen and grow our movement.

COVID Safety

If you’re experiencing cold or flu symptoms, or you’re unwilling to mask, please do not attend ACAB. Our commitment to COVID safety doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it’s a reflection of our deep dedication to inclusion and communal care. We also want to disrupt the binary of “disabled” and “nondisabled,” which facilitates the discarding of currently disabled and high-risk comrades. Therefore we are asking all participants to wear masks when gathering indoors. (Note: we do not have full control over some locations used by the bookfair and unmasked members of the public may be present.)

Respirators and rapid tests will be available for free at registration and throughout the weekend.

Book Fair Security

We’ve taken measures to prevent disruption and surveillance by the Far Right and state actors, but participants should remain security conscious. A de-escalation crew exists to protect the bookfair from potential external threats (including police, fascists, etc.), and conflicts that risk escalating into violence. This is not an accountability collective but rather a collection of autonomous individual volunteers concerned about event safety. You can identify members of the de-escalation crew by their pink bandanas.

No unauthorized photography or recording is permitted during bookfair sessions. Photography in other spaces should only take place with the explicit consent of those being photographed. Please alert a member of the de-escalation crew if you see violations of this norm.

The Role of the Organizers

As in years past, this bookfair is organized by a small collective with the support of the larger community. We see ourselves as facilitators rather than leaders, trusting the spontaneous action of those who choose to participate. While we’ve made content decisions based on an alignment of principles (including anarchism, anti-authoritarianism, and anti-oppression), we cannot anticipate or take responsibility for everything that occurs during the bookfair. We hope that conflict, when it arises, will provide an opportunity for discussion and growth. If you have any questions, please feel free to approach us in person or via email!

Love and solidarity,

ACAB 2024

ACABookfair@riseup.net

Reference Materials