In the midst of a rising authoritarian tide, millions of people around the world are taking a stand against tyranny.
This year’s theme, “Fight Supremacy: Actions Against Authoritarianism,” asks how we can build both a fierce response to fascism and a better world.
We celebrate the individuals and organizations who resist autocrats, oligarchs, and far-right regimes—and the fear and brutality they wield. The fair is inspired by the history from below tradition, which includes Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States. These histories are part of the truth-telling project about our collective past. We organize this year to defend memory, people, and communities from erasure and genocide.
Fight Supremacy looks to the past for insight into how we can effectively organize today. We draw inspiration from abolitionists, Indigenous resistance movements, organized labor, the Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, and LGBTQ+ Rights Movements, Occupy Wall Street, and the countless groups and individuals who continue to take to the streets in defiance of autocracy.
This is a curated event. To propose a panel for the Howard Zinn Book Fair, please fill out this form. The Coordinating Committee looks for panels and talks that will spark congenial debate, promote grassroots struggles, are inclusive and examine the People’s History. We will not approve panels designed to scapegoat marginalized communities. Priority proposal deadline August 1, 2025. Acceptance letters will be sent out in early September.
To propose tabling at the Book Fair, please fill out this form. Tables are $140.00 each with $20.00 going directly to expanding accessibility at the Fair. (Childcare, ASL, Translation etc.) Publishers may request a maximum of three tables. Please apply by August 1.
The Howard Zinn Book Fair welcomes about 2500 readers each year. Our volunteer Coordinating Crew could use your help!
Howard Zinn was a historian, writer and activist most famously known for a People’s History of the United States. His work popularized the practice of telling a “history from below” of workers, women, immigrants, racialized people, LGBTQ+ people, dissidents and radicals. To learn more about his legacy visit our friends at the Zinn Ed Project.
MASKS ARE REQUIRED INDOORS AT ALL TIMES.
NKN95 masks are available at the information counter, and throughout the space.
DO NOT ENTER IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS, have tested positive recently, or know or suspect you may have been exposed prior to the book fair. Please go home and take care of yourself.
WEAR A MASK OUTDOORS, WITHIN 15 FEET OF THE VENUE.
WEARING A MASK IS YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY CARE WE ARE DOING TOGETHER to ensure folks who are more susceptible to contracting COVID can safely participate.
This is a free, volunteer-run event, with thousands of people attending throughout the day
There is no self - care without community care
Thank you for your solidarity-- The Zinn Coordinating Committee
Using a Disability Justice lens, this year we scheduled 30 minutes between sessions instead of 15 minutes. This allows everyone attending to have the opportunity for a physical, emotional, and intellectual break between sessions. This break also allows folks who need more time to move from room to room not to feel rushed or enter the room after the session has started.
Please avoid driving to the Howard Zinn Book Fair. The Mission Campus of City College of San Francisco is at 1125 Valencia Street; two blocks from 24th Street BART. Nearby MUNI lines are the 14, 49, and 48.
BART service updates found here.
Childcare is provided by the Early Childhood Education Department of City College of San Francisco. The childcare facilities can be found in the courtyard.
