Halifax based community activist Rana Zaman has found herself in the midst of another smear campaign launched by Zionist lobbyists, and betrayed by the very institutions that once celebrated her.

Back in 2019, the NDP withdrew her hard fought nomination - citing a three year-old tweet and pressure from organizations like B'Nai Brith and the Atlantic Jewish Council. We hear that story firsthand from Rana, as well as the impact it had on her emotionally and professionally. Its sadly similar to many of the stories we've told on the show - and its happening to her all over again.

Her recent award, a Peace Medal from the YMCA, was quickly rescinded amidst a similar campaign from the AJC and other usual suspects. The YMCA did this despite already knowing Rana's history, and assuring her they would stand by her.

Its a personal story, but also an institutional one. The story is part of a larger pattern that has far reaching consequences for members, the social movements they create, and Canadian politics in general.

Hosted by: Jessa McLean

Call to Action: Sign a Petition Demanding the YWMC Reinstate Rana's Peace Medal

Related Episodes:

• Being Pragmatic inside the NSNDP, on the removal of another NSNDP candidate over their support for Palestine, and a discussion on the pros and cons of staying in the Party;
• Sidelining Socialism, Host Jessa McLean argues that the NDP and their failure to keep Left has shifted the Overton window in Canadian politics; or,
• Get the whole INSIDE the NDP Playlist.

End Song Credit: Sean MacGillivray (with permission)

More Resources:

• 'It's not about me': Rana Zaman speaks after YMCA rescinds her award - Halifax Examiner
• CJPME Foundation Statement (December 2025)
• On Rana Zaman: Some somebodies have some explaining to do - Halifax Examiner

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World Beyond War Canada organizer Rachel Small's home was recently raided by Police - at 6 a.m., while the entire family was asleep. They seized all of her electronic devices, including those of her children. At the very same time, Police were also raiding the homes of some of her fellow activists, and preparing those press releases.

Their alleged crime? Peacefully protesting outside of what organizers had defiantly labelled, a "War Crimes Summit" - a gathering of Canada's weapons manufacturers, politicians and military brass. They'd gathered to help carve out more fortunes from the $89 billion in military spending coming their way.

The guest list was also a who's who of Canada's arms trade with the Zionist occupation, companies who had been featured heavily in World Beyond War's most recent report (co-authored by the Palestinian Youth Movement) on the 'loopholes' these companies use to hide their participation in the genocide.

Rachel describes what it was like waking up to officers in her house; how she prepared for this inevitability; how she explained it all to her children, and what supports she's had since the arrest.

Hear how activists are building up the very thing Police seek to tear down, community. This isn't the first Blueprints guest to speak highly of the Toronto Legal Support Fund and the good people who have helped create a network of arrestees, lawyers and others to lean on while going through the often complicated and drawn out legal processes these charges lead to.

What they don't often lead to is convictions. Rachel reminds us that despite the well over 150 charges laid against Palestinian solidarity activists, in the Toronto area alone, there has been only one conviction. Despite the injustice of the raids, and the increased criminalization of protestors, Rachel seems undaunted. Completely resolved in her mission. And we fully support her.

Hosted by: Jessa McLean

Call to Action: DONATE TO TORONTO COMMUNITY LEGAL FUND

Related Episodes:

• Arming Israel: Canada's Continued Role, (July 2025) Haneen from PYM and Rachel share a scathing new report.
• Supports Amid State Suppression, members of the Toronto Legal Support Committee, discuss oppressive tactics being used by Police and their impact on individuals and the larger movement.

More Resources:

• The Maple: Canada’s Arms-to-Israel Scandal Explained
• REPORT: Exposing the US LOOPHOLE: HOW CANADIAN F-35 PARTS AND EXPLOSIVES REACH ISRAEL

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NDP Leadership hopeful Yves Engler fives an update on his campaign, and discusses the implications of his recent criminal trial in Montreal.

The arguments laid out by the Crown in his case, if successful, will reverberate throughout movements, particularly those who encourage followers to inundate state officials with emails. A guilty verdict also holds the potential to provide police officers with to a level of anonymity that would make holding them accountable even more difficult.

While defending himself against these charges, Yves' is also in the middle of a heated contention for nomination. Its been almost a month since he's submitted his vetting papers to an expectant committee, but no decision has been made. However, he does describe a string of incidents that may serve as writing on the wall.

Hear what he thinks his chances are at being found not-guilty, and of passing the NDP vetting test...

Hosted by: Jessa McLean

Related Episodes:

• Yves Engler: Next Leader of the NDP? (July 2025) Journalist, author, and activist Yves Engler talks about his recent announcement to run for leader of Canada's NDP;
• Weaponizing the Law for Israel (July 2024) Martin Lukacs from The Breach discusses his investigations into Toronto Police's Project Resolute and the secretive committee tasked with cracking down on Palestinian solidarity activism.
• Inside the NDP Playlist

More Resources:

• NDPSocialists.ca: Yves Engler Denied Access to Convention with ONDP Leader Hangs On
• The Maple: Two Charges Against Pro-Palestine Activist Yves Engler Dropped
• Why I’m running for leadership of NDP - Yves Engler

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