Perspectives from Londoners

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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“Caring about humanity is the most punk rock thing of all”: Propagandhi, Thunder Queens & MVLL CRIMES at London Music Hall

What is there to do in London, Ontario, on a Thursday night in September as another school year is beginning? Quite a lot, actually, but on this particular night I made the choice to stop thinking so hard about Canada’s current neoliberal hellscape and to go to a punk show instead. Was this a total vacation from thinking about politics? Not at all, because this was a Propagandhi show. The Manitoba group formed in 1986, and by 1996 they had developed such a reputation for explaining their songs between sets that they joked about it in an album title. Less…

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London’s Labour Day: Historical roots and “call to militant actions and authentic solidarity”

On the last long weekend of every Canadian summer, workers and unions gather for Labour Day to celebrate the history and achievements of the movement. This year, as workers face increased legislative threats by the federal and provincial governments, they also gather with strength and to develop community bonds of solidarity for the upcoming fightback needed. “Labour Day is a celebration of the fights that we have won, but it is a call to militant actions and authentic solidarity for the historic challenges we face locally, provincially, nationally, and globally,” said Patti Dalton, President of the London and District Labour…

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Beanage Dream – Full Circle Cooking Episode 4

We’re keeping it simple at full circle cooking this month. Here’s a tangy, delicious and super filling recipe for a bean and tahini salad with roast zucchini. It’s totally customizable and I’ve included a few ideas for add-ons as well as the base recipe. Enjoy!  The best roast zucchini you’ll ever have Trim both ends of the zucchini, then cut it in half lengthwise. Score the open side of each half, creating a checkerboard pattern. Salt the open side liberally and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Zucchinis hold a lot of water, and these steps are to…

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‘End the Plantation System’: Justice for Migrant Workers at London’s Caribbean Cultural Festival

The following is the speech delivered by Chris Ramsaroop from Justice for Migrant Workers to attendees of Island Fest, a celebration of Caribbean culture in London, on July 26. He has been organizing with Justice for Migrant Workers for the past 25 years.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak regarding issues pertaining to the people who are the foundation of our food system, migrant farm workers. To begin, I would be remiss not to begin with a quote from the seminal work of Justice Irving Andre, who over 35 years ago wrote one of the first critical…

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“Channelling Our Inner Sex Workers”: How SafeSpace provides for their community amid funding challenges

 SafeSpace is a local not-for-profit organization in London which serves “women and gender non-conforming Londoners experiencing crisis, including sex workers and their allies”. In March 2024, SafeSpace released a community request for donations to facilitate their re-opening of a physical space. While there are various supports existing in London for women experiencing violence and home loss, the importance of services that address the specific needs of sex workers is often overlooked. Sex workers experience unique issues and require specialized support. They face greater safety risks in terms of health and violence, yet often struggle with stigmatization such as judgement, discrimination,…

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Fried green tomatoes with tonnato sauce – Full Circle Cooking Episode 3

Still, I lay in wait for tomato season. That sumptuous crimson delight who tempts me to become lost within her splendor, whose firm, silken bosom casts shadows upon my mind, and–  Oh, uh, hey, Antler River Media.  … How did you get in here?  …  You want another article?  … Yeah, I know just the thing. Welcome back to Full Circle Cooking!  It’s summer now, everyone’s tired and sticky, and nobody feels like cooking anything elaborate. Further, more and more produce is coming into peak season. This is the time where cooks set their egos aside and recognize when a…

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Pride and Protest: “Parade” screening at Museum London

Last month, I went to Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre to watch a production of Michael R. Jackson’s Tony and Pulitzer award-winning musical, “A Strange Loop.” I was stunned by its unapologetic Blackness, especially seeing it amongst a predominantly white crowd. The musical offers a gritty understanding of the lived experiences of a Black gay man in the modern era (modern as in like 2015 modern, to be fair), so much so that a white family with their young daughter packed up and left by the third song. I could not stop thinking about this white family leaving. I kept wondering if…

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Crowd of people sitting on the floor of Poacher's Arms surrounding the stage as Whine Problem prepares to play their final song of the evening

MAGICAL Evenings: June 18, 19 music show reviews

Last week I went to two music events at a local bar, Poacher’s Arms, 171 Queens Ave. The first one was a free event on Wednesday called “Queerrr Jam”. This was held in collaboration with “Grrrls Jam”, a free event held at Poachers Arms once a month, where femme and gender-nonconforming people can go up and jam on the Poacher’s stage.  In this case, it was for anyone within the queer community to perform at. Queerrr Jam was run in collaboration with MAGICAL 519, which stands for Multicultural Accessible Gatherings Improving 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Affirmation in London, a collective that aims…

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