Come be a part of history and gain first-hand experience organizing one of the largest student strikes in the world!
Learn more about ASSÉ and the Canadian Student Unionism Movement:
In 2005, ASSÉ, the Québec student union, led a widespread student strike to protest the provincial government's cuts of more than $100,000 in financial aid. That strike came to an end after the government offered to reinvest $482 million into grant and loan programs over the next 5 years, including restoring the $70 million that was cut the previous year. They have plans to go on strike again this October protest skyrocketing tuition increases and hold the government accountable to all Québecois students' rights to attend college.
Here in the U.S. we're facing a constant struggle against corporate rule in our public higher education system. Every year students face tuition increases that are 2 to 6 times the rate of inflation, decreasing financial aid, increased student loan burden, attacks on affirmative action-placing a college education out of reach for many working families, especially communities of color. The good news is that students across the country are resisting these trends. The better news is that students across the country are working towards democratizing our campuses — putting power back in the hands of students.
The retreat, taking place on October 19-22, will be an act of solidarity with our Northern brothers & sisters and also a space to learn more about Canadian / Québecois student unionism, strategize building student unions on our campuses and bring the student unionism movement to the U.S.!
Retreat attendees will participate in direct actions for the province-wide student strike, attend workshops about Canadian and Québecois student unionism and take part in numerous strategy sessions with ASSÉ and CFS (Canadian Federation of Students) organizers.
Join Us!
If you are interested in attending the retreat, click here to fill out an application. You can contact education[at]libertytreefdr.org for more information about the retreat, or use our Contact Page.
