(en) Canada, Hamilton, Media - Anarchist social space opens its doors on Cannon East

From the outside, Hamilton's new anarchist social centre looks like any other storefront 
on Cannon Street ? a bit run down, with a bunch of people hanging out outside, smoking. 
---- Inside, it's a sparsely furnished main-floor unit with couches at one end and a wall 
near the other covered in neatly-displayed books and zines (small circulation, often 
handmade, magazines). ---- An anarchist response to Nihilism, reads one cover. Other 
titles span radical politics, anti-oppression and community building. ---- Located on 
Cannon just west of Victoria Street, the Tower aims to host workshops, speakers, 
skills-shares, publication launches, discussions and meetings, according to the centre's 
blog. It's funded by supporters who donate $50 or so a month to pay the rent. ---- "We 
want to? be part of a sustained and combative engagement against systems of domination," 
states the facility's blog.

While there are numerous branches of anarchism, at its heart is support for systems 
without oppression or central authority, often led by non-hierarchical decision-making.

The Tower's name comes from the tarot card representing upheaval.

After months of planning, site-seeking and redecorating, the centre opened its doors 
Friday for a launch party, hosting a performance by Guelph slam poets Meme, Lisa B and Rafay.

About 20 people were there shortly after 7 p.m. when the Spectator dropped in. Outside, a 
man in colourful face paint, carrying a staff, spoke about graphic novels with another man 
in all black, patches sewn onto his vest.

Inside, people lined the couches, chatting quietly while a child played by the magazine 
racks. Handbills on a coffee table advertised an upcoming film screening at the centre, 
focused on prison and police corruption.

According to the Tower's blog, members of the community with shared interests are 
encouraged to drop by.

No one we asked would give their names to the Spec on Friday and few wanted to chat. This 
reporter was asked to leave shortly after identifying herself.