Newsletter 06.27.2025

Hi all, hope you are well. We grateful for your support as always. Here is this fortnight's newsletter!

-- Adam, Nima, Juliane, Trendel, and Florence.

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ICE Raids in Los Angeles Are a Declaration of War, and Angelenos Are Primed for Battle Tina Vásquez, In These Times (June 12, 2025)

ICE tried to intimidate Los Angeles by coming out in full force to enforce deportations. The city’s residents responded with resistance to show that they won’t roll over for ICE.

In Zohran Mamdani’s Win, Socialism Beat the Status Quo Nick French, Jacobin (June 25, 2025) 

Zohran Mamdani’s primary win was a sign that there is an appetite for frustration with the old guard of politics. Mamdani showed what can be accomplished with a disciplined campaign that addresses the concerns of voters.

The Republican Plot to Un-Educate America Astra Taylor, Eleni Schirmer, The New Republic (June 23, 2025)

The Republican’s big bill could be a serious weapon against higher education. The bill weaponizes student debt to potentially financially ruin countless students and institutions.

The Failson and the Flag Golnar Nikpour, Eskandar Sadeghi-Boroujerdi, Jacobin (June 23, 2025)

Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah often echoes anti-Iran talking points that have been approved by the west. While he’s a neocon favorite, he’s disconnected from ordinary Iranians.  

Community Defense Groups Take the Last Stand Against ICE in LA Claudia Villalona, The Intercept (June 21, 2025)

Groups of citizens in LA argue that sanctuary city laws are insufficient. These groups work to defend immigrants from ICE on the ground. 

Mahmoud Khalil Won His Freedom Despite the Best Efforts of ICE’s Intelligence Unit Shawn Musgrave, The Intercept (June 20, 2025)

Mahmoud Khalil is out of ICE detention and has been greeted by his many supporters. His freedom comes while ICE puts its intelligence unit on his case to prove that he should be detained.  

Politics as Usual, Mary Turfah LA Review of Books (June 25, 2025)

The assumptions of political leaders and Western media that everything Israel does is “self defense” and everything Iran does is inherently offensive and sinister is unchecked ideological dogma. 

A 68-year-old Grandfather Died in ICE’s Custody. His Family Seeks Answers. Andrew Free, The Appeal (June 13, 2025)

A man detained by ICE was healthy at the time of his arrest. His death four weeks later has shocked his family and left them with questions. 

NYT Gave Green Light to Trump’s Iran Attack by Treating It as a Question of When Bryce Greene, FAIR (June 23, 2025)

While The New York Times criticized Trump’s handling of the Iran bombing, the editorial basically conceded to the logic of an act of war. Instead of criticizing the act of bombing, the op-ed focused on process and speed, making an attack feel inevitable.

Israel Turns Gaza Aid Distribution Sites Into Open Killing Fields Hamza M.Salha and Sharif Abdel Kouddous, Dropsite News (June 20, 2025)

As Israel fought with Iran, attention was diverted from the genocide in Gaza. Israel has now turned supposed aid distribution into killing fields where Palestinians are massacred.