Direct Action and the Archive

221A presented a screening of selections from Sid Chow Tan's archive of self-produced video journalism. For decades, Chow Tan worked as a documentarian and organizer across social movements in the Lower Mainland, including environmental activism, anti-Olympics actions, and the struggle for housing. In conversation with Librarian Vincent Tao, Chow Tan spoke to how his video practice has critically informed his political organizing.

The screening included Chow Tan's video documenting the 2002 Woodward's Squat. To supplement the work, the library hosted an open archive of print materials from the squat, collected by past 221A Fellow Josh Gabert-Doyon.