Celebrate the launch of Organizing Sanctuary with author Karl Gardner and special guests Craig Fortier, Sharmeen Khan and Harsha Walia!
As Canada follows the global trend of hostility toward migrants, refugees, and even permanent residents, the idea of sanctuary has emerged from church basements to become a defining tactic of migrant justice activism globally. Today, sanctuary includes campaigns for access to services, anti-deportation efforts, and struggles against police collaboration with immigration enforcement. But is it enough?
Organizing Sanctuary draws on interviews with migrant justice activists, social movement archives, and policy documents to assess Canadian urban sanctuary organizing over the last four decades. Karl Gardner explores the tensions between “sanctuary from above,” exemplified by institutional and policy reforms, and “sanctuary from below,” involving grassroots organizing with service providers and migrant communities. He then argues for an abolitionist approach—one informed by Black liberation, No Borders, and decolonial movements—that is more necessary than ever.
June 3rd at Society Clubhouse - detail and tickets at organizingsanctuary.eventbrite.ca!
We had a wonderful time yesterday celebrating #BCBookDay at the BC Legislature!
Laraine Coates, Assistant Director of Marketing and Business Development at UBC Press and Chair of Books BC, spoke to the importance of supporting #BCBooks. George Abbott, Chief Commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission and author of “Unceded,” addressed the group and spoke with attendees (including Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, @schandraherbert , and The Globe and Mail’s Justine Hunter).
We always appreciate the chance to join our publishing colleagues and fellow BC book lovers in celebrating our local book industry. Thank you to Books BC for organizing BC Book Day!
@readlocalbc #ReadLocalBC
Happy #BCBookDay! On April 21, we celebrate the province’s book & magazine publishers, authors, illustrators, bookstores, libraries, festivals, and literary prizes that connect us with local stories.
Learn more about how you can support BC Book Day via Read Local BC: www.readlocalbc.ca/bcbookday/
#BCBooks #ReadLocal #ReadLocalBC #Bookstagram
Look what arrived! 👀
We’re eager to dig into the advanced reading copies of “Barefoot Gringo” by George Bowering.
Available May 12, “Barefoot Gringo” is a deeply personal and humorous account of George Bowering’s time in Mexico, exploring life, food, animals, love, aging, and more.
https://www.ubcpress.ca/bowering-barefoot-gringo
#canadianliterature #canlit #bookstagram #literature #canadianauthor
Last week, we had a wonderful time meeting visitors to the @associationforasianstudies conference. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth! #AAS2026
Couldn't make the conference? Take 30% off our Asian Studies titles online using code AAS26 (expires March 29, 2026): https://www.ubcpress.ca/asian-studies
This week we’re at the @associationforasianstudies conference in Vancouver! Visit our special conference webpage for details. We hope to see you there! #AAS2026
https://www.ubcpress.ca/aas-conference
We never do this! To celebrate our 55th birthday, UBC Press is offering 55% off 55 UBC Press books! 🥳
Until February 17, 2026, take 55% off a selection of books on our website (specific formats only). Sale prices are reflected on our website, so no discount code is needed. This sale cannot be combined with other discounts. Free shipping on Canadian web orders over $40.
https://www.ubcpress.ca/55-flash-sale
We start the year strong with a fantastic selection of new paperbacks in topics ranging from aging to history and forest economics.
For a full list, visit ubcpress.ca/new-in-paperback (link in bio).
#bookstagram #bcbooks #urbanplanning #cdnhistory
