In the North of the continent, the greatest contradictions of colonial and racist capitalism in the bodies of women and sexual dissidents are exacerbated and invisibilized, and for migrants, Afro-descendants, indigenous peoples and the working class. Living in the belly of the beast, as Cindy Wiesner from GGJ calls the USA, or in a territory in permanent cultural resistance such as Quebec, is a great challenge for militancy and its work of resistance and assistance to people excluded from all rights. Through the eyes of 9 compañeras, from Mexico, USA and Quebec the diversity of struggles of the north of the continent are presented and the richness of the march in the region and what the feminist school Berta Cáceres WMW Américas means. Quebec: An enriching experience Three participants of the Coordination of the World March of Women of Quebec (CQMMF) have the privilege of attending a popular education experience with women from all over the territory of Abya Yala. Among them is Marie-Hélène, who coordinates the activities of the CQMMF. She has been involved with the MMF (or WMW in English) for about ten years and is involved in several organizations that deal with poverty, equality and ecological issues. For their part, Marie-Eva and Mya work in regional organizations in Quebec. Marie-Eva, from the region of Chaudière-Appalaches is particularly interested in the "By, For and With” approach of women working for the associative life of the members. As for Mya, she works in the region of Mauricie where she participates in a project against domestic violence. In addition, the delegation of Quebec is fortunate to have the participation of Emilia, who has been involved since the beginning of the MMF and helps to maintain historical memory and nurture reflections on patriarchy and capitalism. All are mobilized by the MMF. From the first course, the principle of Language Justice attracted the participants from Quebec. This principle affirms the need to express and listen in the language of your choice, even if translation comes with its share of challenges, including concentration. Translation allows access to a greater diversity of views of women from various countries of the Americas. Quebec participants appreciate the richness of the exchanges and bonds of solidarity that the school helps build. In Mya's words, “Their interactions fuel my motivation and keep me going. In the same vein, Marie-Eva affirms: “I'm discovering the World March of Women from another angle, I am curious to learn more and am constantly fascinated by the sisterhood!” Participation in this school represents for us a very interesting journey where women evolve together. Each course is a prerequisite for the next, which promotes ever richer and more comprehensive learning. The Quebec delegation was impressed by the analyses of other MMF activists who establish strong links between the body and the territory. Participants from Quebec noted that their geographical origin kept them away from the issues of extractivism and the consequences on populations and the environment. Hence the importance of solidarity and of presenting MMF analyses to member groups. Participants hope that, once school is over, exchanges can continue to continue learning, forging links and reflect to unite around common goals. Participants from Quebec concluded their exchanges by recalling the importance of the Women's World Charter, a flagship document of the MMF. USA: Committed The delegation of the United States of North America is composed of 5 comrades from Grassroots Global Justice (GGJ), an alliance of more than 60 grassroots workers' organizations, poor people and communities of color that was born in 2005 in the heat of the struggle against NAFTA (more at https://ggjalliance.org/about/). Yaquelin López from Women Working Together shares her experience in the school: “My name is Yaquelin López, I’m with Women Working Together USA -GGJ, I am a community activist from my reality as an undocumented person in the United States for 20 years …Women Working Together USA it is a space where women can feel safe, held, empowered. We seek to develop leadership through popular education and encourage the participation of women in different areas of society… The Bertha Cáceres feminist school enriched my knowledge, it is a learning space with women from all over the continent, of different social movements and different realities with a common denominator: learning from feminist popular education and strengthening feminist movements. I am committed to sharing with my community what (I learned) in the Berta Cáceres Feminist School and in the future to create feminist schools in different cities in Florida, United States…”
USA comprometida La delegación de Estados Unidos de Norte América está compuesta por 5 compañeras de Grassroots Global Justice (GGJ) una alianza de más de 60 organizaciones de base de trabajadoras y trabajadores, personas pobres y comunidades de color que nace en el 2005 al calor de las lucha contra el TLCAN (más en https://ggjalliance.org/about/). Yaquelin López de Women Working Together nos comparte su experiencia en la escuela “Mi nombre es Yaquelin Lopez soy parte de Women Working Together USA -GGJ, soy activista comunitaria desde mi realidad como persona indocumentada en los Estados Unido desde hace 20 años …Women Working Together USA es un espacio donde las mujeres pueden sentirse seguras, contenidas, empoderadas. Buscamos desarrollar liderazgos desde la educación popular e incentivar la participación de las mujeres en los diferentes ámbitos de la sociedad… La escuela feminista Bertha Cáceres enriqueció mi conocimiento, es un espacio de aprendizaje con mujeres de todo el continente, de diferentes movimientos sociales y diferentes realidades con un denominador común: aprenden desde la educación popular feminista y fortalecen los movimientos feministas. Estoy comprometida con compartir con mi comunidad lo que en la Escuela Feminista Berta Cáceres y en el futuro crear escuelas feministas en diferentes ciudades de Florida Estados Unidos…”