Anakbayan Montreal at one of the International Workers Day marches in Montreal
One of the primary ways that I’ve been settling into Montreal is by doing movement work, connecting with organizations such as BAYAN, Anakbayan, Migrante, the Centre for Philippine Concerns, etc. The transition has been mostly seamless; I’ve been able to apply my cultural work skills and experience into the different activities here. I’ve also been pretty active with the Immigrant Workers Centre/Centre des Travellieurs Immigrants, laying out their newspaper La Vox Des Migrant(e)s, as well as designing promotional materials for their 15$ Maintenant ($15 minimum wage now) campaign. I also performed recently at a couple events, one hosted by BAYAN Canada, and the other by the IWC’s Artist Bloc.
I’m reminded of when I first moved to the Bay Area, a new person in a new city trying to get plugged in. Luckily for me back then there were plenty of actions and activities that needed my services, such as the Upset the Setup youth conference, the Ethnic Studies conferences, and a plethora of anti-war and immigrant rights protests. It was through these activities that I met some of my closest comrades and friends, warriors who are still out on the streets holding it down in the Bay to this day. It is these memories that remind me that I can make it out here in Montreal, but that it might just take a little time, patience, and love.
Kiwi Illafonte 