by Greg Macdougall

The next Ottawa Anarchist Assembly is tentatively set to be held on Sunday February 24 (see info above). Judging from the success of the previous three Assemblies, it should be both a good time and a useful gathering point for people involved and interested in radical struggle in the Ottawa region.

Lia Tarachansky, an Assembly organizer, describes how “the first assemblies have been great venues for social organizing in Ottawa ... They had allowed for a space for sharing of activities, gathering voices for campaigns, and for community building.” Attendance has varied, between 40 and 80 people, with over a dozen local activist groups making presentations to those in attendance.

The purpose behind the initial idea to hold these events was
clear: “There was a consensus in the Ottawa activist scene that a space for regular large gatherings was needed.” The first Assembly was held in April of 2007, and every 3-4 months since there has been another.

At the last Assembly, a Basis of Unity was decided upon, by consensus. It begins, “The Ottawa Anarchist Assembly is a gathering of anti-authoritarian, anti-capitalist groups and individuals in the Ottawa-Gatineau area ...” The full text is available at http://oaa.roadnetwork.org, and the organizers can be reached at oaa@roadnetwork.org