The Basil Al-Araj Revolutionary Mobile Library
We are an educational mutual aid project based in Pittsburgh (unceded Osage and Haudenosaunee lands) bringing literature, resources, and community to all! We centralize the struggles against settler colonialism, capitalism, hetero-normative patriarchy, and all other forms of oppression. This is a space by and for all those dedicated to a future of freedom. We exist to share knowledge, resources, and power. We keep us safe, we get us free!
Who We Are
We are a library for the people, to share and learn with the community. We run on an honor system, founded in the trust we build with those around us. The library runs on a collective of folks who believe that access to radical print material is a human right! We often join forces w/ local distros to distribute radical (& other) literature, zines, hygiene products, art, & more.
Who is Basil Al-Araj (باسل الأعرج)
Al-Araj was a prominent Palestinian intellectual, writer, activist, and martyr who became a symbol of resistance and struggle against Israeli occupation. He was known for his deep commitment to Palestinian liberation and his role in educating and inspiring the Palestinian youth.
Where we started
At the end of March 2025, the two co-founders of the library had the wish to study and read with everyone, to build a common revolutionary consciousness, and get organized to fight for liberation!!!
Pictured to the left are the co-founders, a Queer and Trans Asian American Artist/Librarian/all around rad dude and an anti-Zionist Jewish public school history teacher who was forced to resign due to political charges stemming from the pro-Palestine student encampment the previous summer.
What is our goal
As we continue to grow and collaborate with new people and organizations, we continue to learn and develop. We aim to create a space welcoming to all oppressed and marginalized people, a space to promote and lift up their voices/narratives/praxis. We began in the encampments as an archival and library project to maintain indigenous and pre/anti-colonial knowledge traditions. We maintain that mission as we engage both at the unhoused distros we go to and the collaboration events!
Community Guidelines
Finally, this space is unequivocally not for Nazis, TERFS, SWERFS, bigots of any kind. We will not shy from our radical language and views, and we will not compromise our values and principles for ‘a big tent’. If we intend our space to be welcoming, build community, and educate, than we have no room for oppressive and fascist ideologies or people. We keep us safe, together! We get ourselves free, together!