CONTACT

anarchistbookfairlondon@riseup.net

@bookfairldn

ANTI-OPRESSION STATEMENT

This statement applies to the London Anarchist Bookfair and all associated spaces whether physical or online.

Many organisations use ‘safer spaces’ policies; however, we prefer an anti-oppression statement. Our anti-oppression statement is a call for all of us to consider and transform our behaviours, both on the front lines of our struggles and in our everyday lives.

We have all grown up in a patriarchal, racist and capitalist world and many of us carry trauma from our experiences. ‘Unlearning our shit’ is part of creating the better world we know is possible – we all need to take responsibility for it and support each other in freeing ourselves from the conditioning that has been imposed on us.

CHALLENGING OPPRESIVE BEHAVIOUR

Acting against oppression is a collective process and we encourage everyone to challenge oppressive behaviour if you witness it, but please speak to an organiser or volunteer if you need assistance. We would like to ask that people challenge behaviour in the spirit of comradeship, as policing each other can be alienating and is often counter-productive. Everybody makes mistakes, and we are all still learning, so please bear this in mind.

However, if people deliberately continue with abusive behaviour, oppressive language, distribute oppressive material or are deemed to be a risk to others they will be asked to leave the bookfair. If prior to bookfair you have any concerns or suggestions, please feel free to contact us.

We want to make the bookfair a welcome, diverse, inclusive space that actively opposes oppression in all its forms.

Someone’s chosen ‘pronoun’ is how they want to be referred to, e.g. they/them, he/him or she/her. Please respect this and don’t assume someone’s pronoun or gender identity depending on how they look. We recognise that mistakes will happen, but deliberate misgendering is not acceptable.

HISTORY

The first London Bookfair was held at the autonomy centre in Wapping back in December 1981. Half a dozen anarchist publishers spread out their wares, and when hardly anyone turned up they played a pool tournament. It was a nice time and everyone said: “let’s do it again next year”. So they did.

It became a regular event, growing year on year and inspiring dozens of bookfairs across the UK and around the world. The London bookfair attracts thousands of attendees, with hundreds of stalls, workshops, discussions and countless conversations and connections.