Perspectives from Londoners

PERSPECTIVES: Recollections and Reflections on the 2026 NDP Convention

There was much speculation going into convention that the NDP was a spent force in Canada’s political scene. I and many attending the 2026 bi-annual convention in Winnipeg were not of this view. That said, I venture to guess that many of the over 2000 delegates believed that, beyond electing a new leader, the organization must change to meet the moment.  Overall, I felt that the mood at this convention was hopeful. London was well represented by new and long-time members of all four London area ridings, including active union members, disability and education activists, and all four 2025 federal…

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PERSPECTIVE: We Must Fight Ford’s Policies that Hurt the Working Class  

On March 28, in cities across Ontario, thousands of people gathered in protests to ‘Fight Ford’ including London. Doug Ford and his Conservative government have spent years attacking the very things that make our communities strong—our schools, our healthcare system, our workers, our environment—all while handing public wealth over to private corporate interests. We must be clear about something right from the start: this government does not have a real mandate. In the 2025 provincial election, they won a majority with just 43% of the vote—on only 45% turnout. That’s less than 20% of eligible voters. Twenty percent is not…

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Iran and the Contradictions of “Humanitarian Intervention”: A Philosophical Perspective

The following is an edited version of a speech delivered by an Iranian community member at a recent teach-in on Iran. The teach-in emphasized popular struggle against clerical tyranny in Iran while resisting the right-wing, monarchist call for imperialist intervention.   From a fringe far-right position, Iranian monarchism has grown in its relative popularity over the past two decades. It has become one of the main ideological forces shaping the political mentality of the Iranian diaspora in North America, especially after the recent round of street protests starting in Tehran and brutal repression in January 2026. Exclusivity and impulsive hostility toward…

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The Rise of Anti-Immigrant Racism Led to Violent Attacks and Silence in London Community

On January 18, a group of South Asian youth from the Malayali community were targeted and attacked in Victoria Park. This racist violence seriously injured four of them, including one suffering a critical eye injury. They are workers in the London community, having recently graduated as international students from local post-secondary education.   The London Police didn’t release a media statement for public safety.  Only days after the attacks, upon seeing statements by London Malayali cultural groups raising community safety concerns, did anyone from the wider community respond.  Both the racist attacks and the following silence are symptoms of anti-immigrant racism.  …

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A poster displayed with London, ON City Hall in the background. The poster reads: "This city is an open grave filled to overflowing with the present absence of all my dead friends. This city is a slaughterhouse and nobody is criminally responsible just fiscally responsible. This city is a ghostland, hey there’s Nikki I think to myself. Hey there’s Cam I say before remembering they’re all dead. This city rewards the greedy and destroys the kind. This city is in other words a secure investment. Rejoice you bankers. Take heart you real estate investors. All your properties will appreciate in value and all your enemies will be dead. XOXO"

On Being Good Neighbours

[CONTEXT: On Monday, January 26, 2026, the Committee and Protective Services Committee (CPSC) is meeting at City Hall to discuss a proposal that, if passed, would cause serious harm to some of the most oppressed and vulnerable Londoners, as well as those who do what they can to provide care to said Londoners. This proposal was added at the last minute to the meeting agenda, so that the deadline to apply to speak to the CPSC passed before most people were aware that it had been added. Since that time, numerous people have asked the CPSC Chair, Elizabeth Peloza, to…

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Nightmares and Dreams of Iranian Republicanism: The Responsibility of Intellectuals

The following is an account of an Iranian student at Western University reflecting on the current protests in Iran and its promises and dangers. The situation in Iran is so dark and stark that it leaves anyone too overwhelmed for sober and comprehensive analysis.  It is important, however, not to fall for a simplifying framing that distorts the picture into a mere battle between the so-called brutal medieval mindset of political Islam against the secular mentality of modern Iranians. This framing is based on Orientalism, cultural essentialism, and dissociating cultural and political conflicts from the history of class and economic development…

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Housing crisis brings community organizations together

On November 29, within the backdrop of the increasing housing crisis that affects both Canada and the city of London, a collection of leftists organizations in the city, volunteers and community members, all came together to find concrete solutions to a problem that has been affecting the city of London for several years. With the passing of the controversial Bill 60 by the Ontario Provincial Government led by Premier Doug Ford; that housing crisis has expanded in scope and complexity in the last few years.  The Democratic Socialists of Canada, Forest City Solidarity, Spring Socialist Network, the East of Adelaide…

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Countering fascism: reflection on “Hope Not Hate” Rally

The following is a reflection from a community member on the “Hope Not Hate” counter rally to the “Canada First” rally that took place on October 25, 2025. The author has been anonymized ensure safety from Canada First affiliates and doxxing efforts. On October 25, community members from various London-based organizations held a counter-demonstration to a planned “Canada First” rally. The anti-immigrant rally was organized by a far-right group centred in the east end of Toronto and their associates in the Second Sons, a white nationalist men’s-only fraternity. The rally in London was one of a series of demonstrations held…

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Our course is the conscience of humanity

This piece was originally published on the Council of Canadians website, on October 8, 2025, the day when Israeli Occupation Forces illegally seized the Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience. Many of us have had our attention focused recently on the Flotillas sailing against the blockade of Gaza: it is natural to be drawn to this peaceful civilian challenge to the military might of the Israeli occupation at sea. Israel’s deliberate starvation of Palestinians in Gaza as part of the genocide backed by the U.S. and allies – including Canada – makes this year’s many sailings against the blockade all the more…

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“People before profit”: Draw the Line rally for global peace

On September 20, the London chapter of the International Socialists joined Seniors for Climate and Seniors for Climate Action Now to host a rally in support of the national Draw The Line movement. Activists and organizers from ACORN, Independent Jewish Voices, Youth Climate Corp, Canadian Palestinian Social Association, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, For Our Kids, and the London and District Labour Council joined the movement. The following is a speech delivered by Matthew Webb of the International Socialists at London’s Draw the Line event.  We decided to join the Seniors for Climate and Seniors for Climate Action Now in…

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