First Published: In Struggle! No. 280, February 10, 1982
Transcription, Editing and Markup: Malcolm and Paul Saba
Copyright: This work is in the Public Domain under the Creative Commons Common Deed. You can freely copy, distribute and display this work; as well as make derivative and commercial works. Please credit the Encyclopedia of Anti-Revisionism On-Line as your source, include the url to this work, and note any of the transcribers, editors & proofreaders above.
Some 500 men and women were there, at least 75 from outside Quebec. From Quebec there were, besides Montrealers, people from Quebec City, Rouyn Noranda, Lac St. Jean, the Lower St. Lawrence, la Mauricie, St.Jerome and many other areas. From outside Quebec, people came from Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Moncton, Halifax, Vancouver, Regina and Edmonton.
There were plenty of proletarians on hand from all parts of the country and from a cross-section of economic sectors. They held a caucus Sunday morning and decided to establish a system of contacts to maintain communications between regions. Women were also out in force at the plenaries and workshops. They too held a caucus Sunday morning. A group of men IS! members distributed a leaflet entitled “Feminize IN STRUGGLE!’s political line, organizational structure and practice”. And 25 men went to the men’s workshop on women’s oppression.
Many former members and supporters were there. They frequently expressed concern with the fact that IN STRUGGLE! was not more involved in the mass struggles going on across Canada.
A number of gays and lesbians (mainly from Toronto and Montreal) took part in the conference. They organised a workshop on homosexuality (see report in a future issue).
Members of other political organizations, including the Revolutionary Workers League and former members of Combat Socialiste (GSTQ), were present. Comrades from the International Women’s Day Committee in Toronto sent a message wishing for a successful conference.
Spokespersons for the Black Consciousness Movement and the Eritrean Student Association of North America expressed solidarity at the closing plenary.
One of the objectives of the conference was to make possible the highest possible level of participation. That objective was achieved. The organizing of many workshops of 20 to 30 people each made it possible for just about everyone to speak. All participants saw this as a positive point.