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Since 1982, 2033-2035 Saint-Laurent Boulevard has been a vital space for anarchism in Montreal (Tiohtià:ke/Mooniyang). At the time, activists founded the Association des Espèces d’Espaces Libres et Imaginaires (AEELI) with the goal of acquiring the building that today houses three anarchist projects: the feminist and queer self-managed social space Les Révoltes, the DIRA Library, and the bookstore L’Insoumise. The AEELI’s mission is to spread anarchist ideas, for instance through the development of an anarchist bookstore in Montreal. When the association was founded, the bookstore was named Librairie l’Alternative, which opened its doors in 1977. L’Insoumise took over the mantle of l’Alternative twenty years ago. Founded in 2004, the bookstore is open to the public six days a week. And since 2005, the DIRA library has occupied the building’s third floor.

There are many communities that frequent this mythical anarchist building. Every year, people from all over visit both the bookstore and the library. These spaces are abundantly used by anarchists: activities, screenings, celebrations and parties are regularly organized here.

But to ensure that the 2033-2035 Saint-Laurent Boulevard remains a permanent, welcoming and central hub for Montreal’s anarchist community, it is now necessary to carry out crucial work to preserve and enhance it. The current building requires major repairs, and a lot of love. The facade, storefront, rear wall of the building, windows on the second and third floors, and the bookstore’s bathroom all need significant repairs, estimated at more than $200,000.00. However, the Association des Espèces d’Espaces Libres et Imaginaires does not have the funds required to do this by itself. Today, the Association must appeal for your support.

To ensure the continuity of this space of life, joy, rage, plotting, organizing, debate, and knowledge-sharing, whose three floors and famous courtyard benefit anarchist communities, we are calling for solidarity. Let this center for anarchist ideas, encompassing all tendencies, continue its mission forever!

To the continuity of Montreal’s oldest anarchist space!

In solidarity,
AEELI, L’Insoumise bookstore, the DIRA Library, and Les Révoltes