As we start organizing the 2024 bookfair we will draft new intentions but likely will not stray to far from the spirit of previous ACAB iterations, you can reference the 2023 statement until a 2024 is drafted.
ACAB 2023 Statement of Intention
We are facilitating this book fair 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; therefore, we invite all participants to initiate conversations and directly address oppressive behaviors that occur during the book fair. 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 book fair 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
While the dominant culture has “moved on” from pandemic precautions, abandoning disabled and high-risk communities, we want this event to reflect our deep commitment to inclusion and collective care. If you are are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, or if you are unwilling to mask, please do not attend. We are asking that all participants wear masks while gathered indoors; however, we do not have full control over some locations used by the book fair 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 book fair from potential external threats (incl. 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 book fair 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 Organizers
As in years past, this book fair 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 (incl. anarchism, anti-authoritarianism, and anti-oppression) we cannot anticipate or take responsibility for everything that occurs during the book fair. 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,
ACAB2023
Reference Materials
- 2018 ACAB Statement of Intent – https://acab2018.noblogs.org/post/2018/08/10/revised-statement-of-intent/
- Bay Area Statement of Mutual Responsibility – https://bayareaanarchistbookfair.com/baabf-statement-of-mutual-responsibility/
- New York City Safe Space Policy – https://anarchistbookfair.net/safe-space-2/
- Montreal Policies (incl Safer Spaces, Accessibility, Exclusions, Cultural Appropriation) – https://www.anarchistbookfair.ca/policies/