Rebel Knowledge Symposium 2026 – Here We Go Again: Fighting Fascism Then & Now
February 6-8 @ the University Centre, Guelph (Free event, free food, free childcare)
Pre-register HERE! by Jan 23 (see details below)
Is there a grating voice inside of you screaming “EVERYTHING SUCKS RIGHT NOW!?” Are you noticing fascism becoming increasingly rampant across Canada, not just in the US? That’s because it is, and it does suck!
Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian political ideology that emphasizes ultra-nationalism, militarism, and social regression, often with a dictator at its head. It’s not a relic from the past. It’s here and gaining momentum. With the growing popularity of gluttonous military budgets, “strongman” leaders, and “trad wife” rhetoric, are we screwed? Not yet— we’re fighting back.
Join OPIRG Guelph for our annual Rebel Knowledge Symposium. Our theme for 2026 is “Here We Go Again: Fighting Fascism Then & Now.” In a time of misinformation and fear, knowledge mobilization is a powerful tool for liberation. We’re bringing together radicals, academics, activists and organizers to lead panels, workshops and art spaces focusing on how fascism is showing up in the present day, and most importantly, how to combat it.
The Symposium is taking place over the weekend of February 6-8 at the University of Guelph’s University Centre. It features free food, free childcare, and is free to attend.
Interested attendees can pre-register online and learn more at https://symposium.opirgguelph.org/.
Pre-register by January 23 to guarantee your free food ticket, childcare needs, and help us plan accommodations. You can still attend without pre-registering, but we cannot guarantee that your needs will be met. (A previous version of this post mistakenly listed the deadline as Jan 26– we’re sorry for the error and will keep the form open until Jan 26 but would prefer it if folks pre-registered before Jan 23!)
Want to lend a hand? Sign up to volunteer HERE!
PS! The Symposium is also OPIRG Guelph’s 50th birthday celebration– that’s 50 incredible years of radical research, activism and community building. We’ll have a special Birthday Room showcasing the work we’ve ALL accomplished over the years together, including an exclusive look at our archives and past action groups
TENTATIVE OVERVIEW OF EVENTS (Subject to change! Full schedule to be released soon)
Friday February 6
Special event – TBA
Saturday February 7
Keynote:
Mark Bray, author of Antifa: The Antifascist Handbook
Panels:
Signs, Signs, Signs: What’s happening on Canadian Campuses?
Ain’t No Sunshine: Deconstructing Eco Fascism
The Culture of Resistance
Sorry, Canada: We’re Not That Innocent
Workshops:
Pod & Community Mapping for Transformative Justice Praxis w/ The Wild Queer Abolitionist Collective
Threads of Hope: Collective Art for Climate & Community Resilience w/ Climate Hope Lab
[DROP IN ART SPACE] Strategized Creativity: Anarchist and Queer Print Methods w/ Jude Akrey
Sunday February 8
Panels:
In Your Homes, In Your Communities: Ways Fascism Shows Up & How We Can Fight Back
Fascism Across Time & Space : History, Resistance & Solidarity
First They Come For…
Workshops:
The Pursuit of Supremacy: How We Combat the Rise of Supremist Societies w/ Chelsey Edwards
Understanding and Defeating Fascism w/ Justice For Workers Guelph
Harm Reduction in Response to Fascism w/ Guelph Harm Redux Coalition
[DROP IN ART SPACE] Strategized Creativity: Anarchist and Queer Print Methods w/ Jude Akrey
Special closing event – TBA
Performance, art, and more (throughout the weekend or times TBA)
Dance Diaries- Drenched in Disorder: A Mad Poetic Dance Piece w/ Ishaa Vinod Chopra
Mutual Aid From the River to the Sea w/ EAT DIRT
It Starts With YOU! w/ Owen Ross and Abdullah
I Promise We’re NICE zine by eddie & Mo