The Red Review | Issue #23 (Aug 2025)
A Socialist Action Journal
Defend Immigrant Rights! No Human Being is Illegal
by Jeff Mackler
The Los Angeles and national immigration rights protests began in early June when ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents with no legal authority stormed sections of Los Angeles’s largely Latino and Central American communities, banging on and smashing doors of local homes demanding that residents open with the intention of arresting those they deemed illegal. The stated goal was to circumvent via terrorist tactics and presidential decrees fundamental democratic rights to privacy and other constitutional protections that historically ban the deployment of US troops against civilians. The Trump administration’s stated goal was to arrest 3,000 “illegal” immigrants in Los Angeles daily, a figure that ICE officials claim they have largely met. In the days that followed, the brutal and coordinated raids were countered by community and politically organized groups that mobilized multiple thousands in coordinated mass protests that challenged the government’s brutal fascist-like tactics.
“Internationalism has to be Anti-Imperialist: A Dialogue with Labor Notes on the UAW’s Support for Trump’s Tariffs”
by John Wilson
On April 7, Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) denounced UAW president Shawn Fain's support of US tariffs and urged a wide ranging coordinated emergency response. However, as Trump’s 35% tariffs come into effect on August 1, the CLC now calls for "protective" Canadian tariffs, falling in line with Carney's nationalist rhetoric. Carney’s 15% cuts for most federal workers and tax cuts for the rich basically mirror Trump’s budget plans.
On April 2, Labor Notes weighed in on the debate over Shawn Fain's support of Trump's tariffs.
Crawford criticizes Fain's total support for Trump's trade policies saying that they're unlikely to increase US auto production. He instead appeals for more cross-border solidarity. He advocates a more "focused" use of tariffs to penalize corporations that "violate workers' rights" but fails to specify how these can be achieved.
Hands Off Iran
by Socialist Action Canada, Socialist Action USA
On June 21, the Trump warmonger, sent a squadron of the world’s most advanced bombers to launch a dozen “bunker-buster” bombs aimed a obliterating Iran’s nuclear research facilities that Trump, insisted without foundation, were preparing to manufacture nuclear weapons to launch against the US.
As part of international days of protest, about 1,500 people rallied in Toronto on a sweltering June 22, across from the U.S. Consulate, chanting the slogan “No War on Iran”. and calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons starting with USA and Israel.On June 28, in Washington DC a large action demanded “No to US War Against Iran”, and “Ban all nuclear weapons stating with the US and Israel!”
Unmasking a NATO Youth Front: “Young Politicians of Canada”
by Alex Tyrrell, Yves Engler
NATO fears losing its ideological grip on the young so the belligerent military alliance’s backers are fighting back.
In recent years a number of NATO-aligned institutions have expressed concern about the political orientation of younger generations. According to a report published by the NATO Association of Canada, youth support for militarism and hawkish foreign policy is substantially weaker among Gen Z and Millennials than among older demographics. In both the U.S. and Canada, youth are more skeptical of portraying countries like China and Russia as existential threats and more likely to oppose U.S. military aid to Israel and support Palestinian rights. When it comes to peace, young people are most likely to support it. The NATO Association of Canada report calls for urgent efforts to reframe military spending to the young as a civic duty.
Zohran Mamdani Wins NYC Mayoral Democratic Party Primary in Upset Victory
by Jeff Mackler
In a stunning political upset, Zohran Mamdani—a 33-year-old Queens Assemblyman, Democrat, and member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)—won the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City last week. Polling at just 1% when the race began, Mamdani secured 56% of the ranked-choice vote, defeating a crowded field of over a dozen Democratic contenders, including the ruling class favorite, former governor Andrew Cuomo, now disgraced. Cuomo resigned in 2021 after a state-commissioned report documented numerous sexual harassment allegations against him.
Running as a Democrat, Mamdani campaigned on a sweeping populist platform to make New York City more “affordable.” His proposals included: free bus service across all 327 routes, a rent freeze on the city’s one million rent-stabilized apartments, free early childcare, higher property taxes on luxury homes, a 2% income tax hike for those earning over $1 million annually, raising the statewide corporate tax rate from 7.5% to 11.5%, construction of 200,000 affordable housing units, five city-owned grocery stores (one per borough), and doubling the state’s minimum wage to $30 an hour by 2030.
Yves Engler - Socialist for NDP Leader
by Barry Weisleder
At a well-attended news conference on July 7, the New Democratic Party Socialist Caucus announced the nomination of Yves Engler, a distinguished Montreal-based author and activist, as its candidate for federal NDP leader. Engler brings to the contest a fearless commitment to global peace, democratic accountability, workers’ rights and socialism. In the wake of the electoral disaster suffered by the federal NDP on April 28, he is the first nominee to step forward.
Born in Vancouver in 1979 to union-organizer parents who were deeply rooted in political activism, Engler learned early that social change demands hard work and struggle. Engler has authored thirteen critically acclaimed books—including "Stand on Guard for Whom? A People’s History of the Canadian Military" and "Canada in Haiti: Waging War Against the Poor Majority"—which have expanded public awareness of Canada's foreign policy and its impact on working people and oppressed communities.
From the Greenbelt to our Schools: Paul Calandra is Selling Us Out
by Nigel Barriffe
Ontario’s Education Minister, Paul Calandra, is on a dangerous path. While ordinary people in this province are struggling to put food on the table, find housing, or pay for basic medications, Calandra is focused on grabbing more power—at the expense of democracy, public education, and community voices.
This is the man brought in by Doug Ford to clean up the mess left by former Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister, Steve Clark over the Greenbelt scandal. Calandra cleaned house in the Minister’s office. Now, from Queen’s Park, he’s targeting entire school boards with that same controlling energy.
Through his new Bill 33, Supporting Children and Students Act Calandra is giving the Minister’s office sweeping new powers: the ability to overrule elected school trustees, take control of local school boards, and decide what gets taught—or erased—in Ontario classrooms.
Alberta Separation is an Oil Profits Plot
by Gary Porter
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is “playing with fire” by stoking the flames of separation before consulting First Nations, say chiefs, academics and lawyers who spoke to APTN News.
“This could go very badly for her,” warned Tsuut’ina First Nation Chief Roy Whitney of Smith’s apparent willingness to hold a referendum on Alberta independence.
“The province has no authority to try and separate,” added Regina Crow Child, a Tsuut’ina minor chief and treaty knowledge keeper, who spoke with APTN by phone. “They cannot take our territories with them. There is no way they can legally say that this land belongs to them.”
Smith has said she supports Alberta staying in Canada, but backs Alberta ‘sovereignty’, deftly speaking out of both sides of her mouth.
Yves Engler Launches NDP Leadership Bid with Appeal to Disillusioned Greens
by Global Green News
Longtime anti-imperialist activist sets sights on “bold change” as Greens drift toward centrism
Yves Engler, a prominent author and anti-war activist, has entered the race for leadership of the federal New Democratic Party (NDP), vowing to challenge Canada’s military-industrial complex and promote radical environmental, anti-capitalist, and anti-colonial policies.
In a candid exchange with Global Green News, Engler was asked whether he has a plan to win over disaffected Green Party members who are frustrated with the party’s support for militarism and its silence on the genocide in Gaza.