London

Photograph of Victor Manuel Garcia Sanchez addressing spectators in front of a colorful mural at Casa Latina. The Cuban flag hangs to his right.

Cuban Consul General Visits London, Ontario

On June 28, representatives of ¡Estamos con Cuba!, People for Peace and LACASA (Latin America – Canada Solidarity Association) had the opportunity to meet with the Consul General for Cuba in Toronto, Victor Manuel Garcia Sanchez, in downtown London restaurant Casa Latina. Garcia Sanchez shared reflections and answered questions regarding the present situation of the Caribbean island nation as it now survives its eighth month amidst an effective oil blockade by the United States of America, under the presidential administration of Donald Trump. Garcia Sanchez, consul for Cuba in Toronto since October, 2025, was introduced by Western University linguistics professor…

Read MoreCuban Consul General Visits London, Ontario
Photograph of three hand-painted posters. One shows the logo of TD bank placed on a green armchair and reads "Comfortable with Genocide." The others read "TD funds genocide" and "TD is art washing genocide."

Arms Embargo Forest City and Museum London clash over TD Funding

According to anti-war coalition group Just Peace Advocates, TD bank has invested ten billion dollars in war crimes and genocide through financial ties with weapons manufacturers and war profiteers like General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, RTX Corporation (also known as Raytheon) and Northrop Grumman. All of these manufacturers have provided weapons, vehicles, and weapons development to the Israeli military. The Israeli military has made use of them by filling the streets of Gaza with Palestinian blood.  Museum London, sponsored by TD bank, had its Summer Launch Party on June 11. The event featured the exhibition opening of Franco-Manitoban artist Dominique Rey,…

Read MoreArms Embargo Forest City and Museum London clash over TD Funding

PERSPECTIVES: Stevenson for Mayor? Thanks, Josh Morgan

In this increasingly polarized political climate that we find ourselves in today, Londoners don’t seem to agree on much. But if there’s one sentiment that’s almost unanimous across all 14 wards, it’s that our city is headed in the wrong direction. The genuine anger and frustration at the state of our city is palpable, much of it justifiable and righteous within itself. But it is commonly misdirected towards our unhoused neighbours, immigrants, or the “other” – whoever that may be at any given moment. No one has better capitalized upon this smouldering rage than current Ward 4 councillor – now…

Read MorePERSPECTIVES: Stevenson for Mayor? Thanks, Josh Morgan

“Mourn for the Dead and Fight for the Living” : International Day of Mourning to remember workers killed, injured, and made ill on the job

On April 28, trade unionists and labour activists came for the Day of Mourning ceremony held in London’s Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) hall.  This year’s London ceremony highlighted the recent death of a worker who was killed while working at the Maple Leaf Foods poultry processing plant on Wilton Grove Road on April 9. The investigation into the workplace death is ongoing and further details haven’t been released at this time. “We are all sharing in grief,” said Mike Mattioli, the regional union representative from the Union of Commercial and Food Workers (UFCW), which represents workers at the…

Read More“Mourn for the Dead and Fight for the Living” : International Day of Mourning to remember workers killed, injured, and made ill on the job

¡Estamos Con Cuba!: A Fundraiser for the Cuban People

This Friday, Casa Latina will hold a fundraiser, ¡Estamos Con Cuba!: A Fundraiser for the Cuban People, at 7pm. It will be filled with live music, silent auctions, video-recorded greetings from Cuba solidarity groups and Cubans living under the intensified blockade, and a dance party that may stretch late into the night.  Performances will feature London-based Chilean duo SUYAI, made of folk musicians Viviana and Mauricio, and local choir Accento Latino. Journalist and writer Ruth Taylor will read an excerpt from her debut novel Even the Birds – which chronicles three generations of Guatemalan women seeking peace and purpose. The…

Read More¡Estamos Con Cuba!: A Fundraiser for the Cuban People

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…

Read MorePERSPECTIVES: Recollections and Reflections on the 2026 NDP Convention

The impact of closing Safe Consumption Sites in London

Ontario’s decision to end funding for supervised consumption sites has sent shockwaves through service users, service providers, and harm reduction advocates across the province. In London, Ontario, the potential that Carepoint Consumption and Treatment Services will close has ignited grief, frustration, and deep fear within the community.  Ontario’s Ministry of Health informed agencies on March 15 that funding will end on June 13, 2026, giving operators just 90 days to wind down services. The move, presented by Premier Doug Ford as a shift toward “public safety” and “a recovery-oriented model,” will shut down a service that reversed 218 overdoses last year and recorded…

Read MoreThe impact of closing Safe Consumption Sites in London

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.  …

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