Latest news with #NewRepublic
Canada Standard
2 days ago
- Politics
- Canada Standard
The American mass exodus to Canada amid Trump 2.0 has yet to materialize
In February 2025, the New Republic , reported there were a growing number of Americans who wanted to leave the country following the election of Donald Trump. Canadian reports backed up the assertion, particularly the news that three high-profile Yale professors would be joining the faculty of the University of Toronto in the fall of 2025. Read more: Yale scholars' move to Canada can prompt us to reflect on the rule of law For some Canadian observers, it may feel like a case of dej vu. After Trump's first election in 2016, some media predicted a sharp increase in Americans seeking to escape their country's harsh social and political climate for Canada's "sunny ways." According to Google Analytics, web searches originating in the United States involving "how to move to Canada" increased by 350 per cent on election night in 2016. A few months earlier, they'd increased by 1,500 per cent over normal search rates for the same phrase in March 2016, when Trump clinched the Republican nomination for president. Despite such post-election musings nine years ago, the pending American mass exit didn't materialize. According to migration data (a download is required) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the number of Americans applying for permanent residency from January through March 2017 rose only slightly. There were 1,882 applications, just 66 more than from the same period in 2016. As for visas and authorizations issued to people from the U.S. during the same time period, they barely increased - from 2,497 in 2016 to just 2,523 in 2017. Americans taking up permanent residency in Canada jumped from about 8,400 in 2016 to 10,800 in 2019. However, that increase in the modest number of moves from the U.S. to Canada can hardly be construed as an exodus. Over those same two years, the number of Canadians becoming permanent residents of the U.S. continued to exceed the number of Americans who headed north. There has been, however, a decline in the number of Canadians moving to the U.S. In 2016, the year Trump was first elected, just over 19,300 Canadians moved to the U.S. In 2019, the year before Trump lost to Joe Biden, 14,700 Canadians took up residence in the U.S. That trend didn't last as the gap in cross-border permanent residency widened once more during the Biden era. In 2023, while 10,600 Americans moved to Canada, 18,600 Canadians moved to the U.S. Looking at the data from 2016 to 2023 suggests politics isn't the primary reason why Americans head to Canada. It's more likely driven by economic considerations, better job offers or family ties. In terms of the apparent uptick in migrants from the U.S. heading to Canada during Trumps's second term, it's too early to draw definitive conclusions. But numbers for the first quarter of 2025, according to the same IRCC datasets, show no signs of any significant uptake, with a drop from 2,485 Americans headed Canada's way between January to March 2024 to 955 over the same period in 2025. Despite the surge in American internet searches on moving to Canada in 2016, when Trump won the Republican nomination and then the presidency, acting on impulse in a moment of political turmoil is complicated. Moving to Canada is not as simple as it may seem; it can be long and arduous. There's a process and a waiting line with requirements that include an offer of employment in Canada, liquid assets and language proficiency in English, or French if Quebec is the ultimate destination. It's easier to immigrate to Canada if there's a close family member already living there, but still not guaranteed. Canada's tax rate is a migration deterrent for some, even though these higher tax rates come with more services. Although Canada's health-care system is more inclusive and affordable, the wait times for procedures, along with the perception that Canadian services are not as robust as American health services, could also be a deterrent to migration. In short, even for Americans, it's not easy to migrate to Canada. There is, however, one group of people living in the U.S. who may consider relocating to Canada: asylum-seekers. The second Trump administration has ended Temporary Protection Status for Afghan, Venezuelan, Nicaraguan, Cuban and Haitian residents. This means that people from these strife-torn countries must apply for permanent residency or "self-deport" - otherwise, they will become undocumented. Haiti is currently unsafe. Gangs control the country's cities and neighbourhoods and have staged a successful coup. The country is also still rebuilding after the devastating 2010 earthquake. Read more: With Haiti in chaos, Canada buries its head in the sand Afghanistan remains in the throes of a decades-long war where women have have no rights. Venezuela is in a state of civil unrest; about 19 million citizens do not have enough food or sanitation. Nearly 7.7 million people have fled the country. The crackdown on other undocumented residents and the recent issuing of large "civil penalties" in the form of fines for failing to self-deport may force others to leave the U.S. Where might they go? Many will return to their country of residence, but others may be unable to do so and could consider Canada a convenient and safe destination. In 2016, 23,919 people made asylum claims in Canada. That number slowly rose throughout the first Trump administration to 64,020 in 2019, the last full year of the president's first term. Those seeking asylum in Canada declined to 23,680 in 2020 - the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic - but had increased to 171,850 by the end of 2024. The geographic distribution of these asylum-seekers was uneven. In 2017, 50 per cent of all asylum-seekers to Canada made their claim in Quebec; in 2022, 64 per cent of asylum claims were made there. So rather than seeing a large influx of American citizens migrating to Canada during Trump's second administration, there will likely be a larger number of asylum-seekers, many of whom have legitimate fears of persecution. How Canada chooses to handle these claims remains to be seen - but it's urgently important for Canadian elected officials to figure it out immediately.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Liberals blame Big Beautiful Bill loss on dying Dems: Imagine if they 'retired instead of died in office'
Facing yet another loss after the Trump-backed "Big, Beautiful Bill" advanced in Congress, liberals are lashing out at Democratic Party elders for clinging on to power too long — even to death. Shortly before the so-called BBB went up for a vote, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., a longtime leader in the Democratic Party from deep-blue Fairfax County, passed away after a battle with esophageal cancer. Connolly had previously indicated he would be retiring at the end of his term in 2026. In response, many liberal analysts and consultants complained that too many Democrats were refusing to leave office, including FIGHT Agency's Rebecca Katz, who posted on X, "Imagine if one of the older and sicker Dems would've retired instead of died in office and what that would've meant for millions of people," quoting a post of the final 215-214 tally. Below that was a repost of a story with a large image of Connolly that described recent elderly Democrats who have died in office. White House: Dems Have 'Never Been More Radical, Out Of Touch' After Voting Against 'Big, Beautiful Bill' When reached for comment, Katz told Fox News Digital that "no individual has a divine right to rule for eternity." Read On The Fox News App "Democratic voters feel lied to and are demanding accountability, and our party needs to earn back their trust and start winning again. We shouldn't be afraid to have hard conversations," Katz said. The story — in the left-wing New Republic — described how Connolly was the latest in a recent string of Democrats who have died in office, including Reps. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., and Sylvester Turner, D-Texas. According to her X profile, Katz has experience in Arizona politics working with Sen. Ruben Gallego's campaign, as well as previously Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y. Meanwhile, the last eight lawmakers to have died in federal office have all been Democrats — including Turner's own predecessor Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, for whom he took over for less than a term. The New Republic appeared to lay the blame for the BBB's narrow win at the feet of dead Democrats. "House Republicans managed to pass their draconian budget bill, which promises to make massive cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and food assistance, early Thursday morning by a narrow one-vote margin that was only possible due the deaths of three in this current Congress," the New Republic's Hafiz Rashid wrote, describing Connolly, Grijalva and Turner. Winners, Losers And Grab-bags From House Gop's Narrow Passage Of 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Quoting another article from The Nation, Katz wrote: "In a democracy, politicians exist to serve the public; the public does not exist to serve politicians. It's a sign of democratic decline if politicians live and die like warlords, clinging to every last ounce of power. Democrats need to define what they stand for as a party so their elected officials can once more be genuine public servants and not mere warlords." The Nation lamented how Democrats are supposed to be a political movement seeking to gain power and implement an agenda. But, "in practice… [they] more closely resemble a hospice, if not a funeral home," it went on, pivoting to criticizing the party for its bolstering of former President Joe Biden amid revelations from CNN anchor Jake Tapper's book on the alleged "cover-up [of] his infirmity." The three Democrats who died within close proximity to BBB negotiations all hailed from reliably Democratic districts in Fairfax, Tucson and Houston, and could have had their seats filled by Democrats if they had retired in a timely fashion. Senior House Republican leadership staff emphasized that Connolly's absence would not have had any bearing on the outcome of the votes. Johnson had 217 votes on-hand, Fox News learned Tuesday. Prior to Connolly, Turner and Grijalva, Democrats from similarly-secure Paterson, New Jersey; Houston oncemore; Newark, New Jersey; California (Sen. Dianne Feinstein); and Petersburg, Virginia, died in office and left their party in the statistical lurch. Currently, the four oldest sitting federal lawmakers are Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, at 91, Reps. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and Hal Rogers, R-Ky., at 87, and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., at 87. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is 85. Fox News Digital reached out to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Connolly's office for article source: Liberals blame Big Beautiful Bill loss on dying Dems: Imagine if they 'retired instead of died in office'
Fox News
4 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Liberals blame Big Beautiful Bill loss on dying Dems: Imagine if they 'retired instead of died in office'
Facing yet another loss after the Trump-backed "Big, Beautiful Bill" advanced in Congress, liberals are lashing out at Democratic Party elders for clinging on to power too long — even to death. Shortly before the so-called BBB went up for a vote, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., a longtime leader in the Democratic Party from deep-blue Fairfax County, passed away after a battle with esophageal cancer. Connolly had previously indicated he would be retiring at the end of his term in 2026. In response, many liberal analysts and consultants complained that too many Democrats were refusing to leave office, including FIGHT Agency's Rebecca Katz, who posted on X, "Imagine if one of the older and sicker Dems would've retired instead of died in office and what that would've meant for millions of people," quoting a post of the final 215-214 tally. Below that was a repost of a story with a large image of Connolly that described recent elderly Democrats who have died in office. When reached for comment, Katz told Fox News Digital that "no individual has a divine right to rule for eternity." "Democratic voters feel lied to and are demanding accountability, and our party needs to earn back their trust and start winning again. We shouldn't be afraid to have hard conversations," Katz said. The story — in the left-wing New Republic — described how Connolly was the latest in a recent string of Democrats who have died in office, including Reps. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., and Sylvester Turner, D-Texas. According to her X profile, Katz has experience in Arizona politics working with Sen. Ruben Gallego's campaign, as well as previously Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y. Meanwhile, the last eight lawmakers to have died in federal office have all been Democrats — including Turner's own predecessor Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, for whom he took over for less than a term. The New Republic appeared to lay the blame for the BBB's narrow win at the feet of dead Democrats. "House Republicans managed to pass their draconian budget bill, which promises to make massive cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and food assistance, early Thursday morning by a narrow one-vote margin that was only possible due the deaths of three in this current Congress," the New Republic's Hafiz Rashid wrote, describing Connolly, Grijalva and Turner. Quoting another article from The Nation, Katz wrote: "In a democracy, politicians exist to serve the public; the public does not exist to serve politicians. It's a sign of democratic decline if politicians live and die like warlords, clinging to every last ounce of power. Democrats need to define what they stand for as a party so their elected officials can once more be genuine public servants and not mere warlords." The Nation lamented how Democrats are supposed to be a political movement seeking to gain power and implement an agenda. But, "in practice… [they] more closely resemble a hospice, if not a funeral home," it went on, pivoting to criticizing the party for its bolstering of former President Joe Biden amid revelations from CNN anchor Jake Tapper's book on the alleged "cover-up [of] his infirmity." The three Democrats who died within close proximity to BBB negotiations all hailed from reliably Democratic districts in Fairfax, Tucson and Houston, and could have had their seats filled by Democrats if they had retired in a timely fashion. Senior House Republican leadership staff emphasized that Connolly's absence would not have had any bearing on the outcome of the votes. Johnson had 217 votes on-hand, Fox News learned Tuesday. Prior to Connolly, Turner and Grijalva, Democrats from similarly-secure Paterson, New Jersey; Houston oncemore; Newark, New Jersey; California (Sen. Dianne Feinstein); and Petersburg, Virginia, died in office and left their party in the statistical lurch. Currently, the four oldest sitting federal lawmakers are Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, at 91, Reps. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and Hal Rogers, R-Ky., at 87, and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., at 87. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is 85. Fox News Digital reached out to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Connolly's office for comment.
Egypt Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Egypt evacuates 71 citizens from Libya
Egyptian and Libyan flags CAIRO – 25 May 2025: In a powerful display of the Egyptian state's vigilance and swift response to international crises, the Egyptian government, under the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, successfully repatriated 71 Egyptian citizens from the Libyan capital, Tripoli. This evacuation occurred amidst an unstable security situation gripping the country. This action transcends a mere evacuation operation; it serves as a tangible embodiment of the political leadership's profound concern for the lives and dignity of Egyptians and the state's unwavering commitment to protecting its citizens wherever they may be. This clearly reflects the philosophy of the New Republic, which places human beings at the heart of its priorities. In this context, Dr. Ayman Mohaseb, Deputy Chairman of the Arab Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, lauded the swift action taken by the Egyptian state, implementing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's directives to repatriate 71 Egyptian citizens from Libya amid the volatile conditions in Tripoli. He emphasized that this event clearly demonstrates the political leadership's dedication to safeguarding the lives of Egyptians abroad and its unwavering support for them during times of crisis. Dr. Mohaseb stated that this move affirms that the Egyptian state does not leave its citizens abroad as prey to any dangers and that there is a firm political will to provide the highest levels of protection and care for Egyptians wherever they are found. He noted that the state's response to the desire of dozens of Egyptians to return quickly from Libya without imposing any financial burdens reflects the humanity and effectiveness of the relevant authorities, foremost among them the National Committee concerned with Libya and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Member of Parliament commended the full coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Egyptian Embassy in Tripoli, and the operations room established by the Ministry to monitor the conditions of Egyptians moment by moment. He affirmed that this rapid and effective mechanism reflected the level of readiness and professionalism in dealing with the developments in the Libyan scene and its repercussions on Egyptian communities. Dr. Mohaseb pointed out that the escalating tensions in Libya in recent days, the increasing severity of the political division, and the subsequent widespread protests in the Libyan street necessitate serious international intervention to contain the crisis and pressure the Libyan parties to sit at the dialogue table to reach a comprehensive settlement that guarantees lasting security and stability. MP Ayman Mohaseb added that the continued political chaos in Libya not only affects the brotherly Libyan people but also extends its impact to neighboring countries, including Egypt, which has always sought to achieve a national Libyan-Libyan consensus away from foreign interference, while respecting the unity and sovereignty of Libyan territory. He called on the international community and the United Nations to assume their legal and humanitarian responsibilities in containing the Libyan crisis, stressing that Egypt will always remain a defender of the region's peoples and a supporter of peace and stability tracks. Repatriation of Egyptians from Libya Reflects State Vigilance and Concern for its Citizens Engineer Hazem El-Gendy, a member of the Senate, also praised the significant efforts exerted by the Egyptian state, under the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, to repatriate Egyptian citizens wishing to return from Libya. He affirmed that this step reflects the vigilance of state agencies and their rapid action to protect their citizens abroad and their constant concern for their safety and security, especially in times of crisis. In a statement, El-Gendy explained that the Egyptian government's success in repatriating 71 citizens from the Libyan capital, Tripoli, via an EgyptAir plane came at a highly sensitive time, given the security disturbances and escalating political tensions in Libya. This reflects the Egyptian state's ability to move quickly and in a coordinated manner to protect its citizens abroad and embodies its national and responsible role in providing a safe haven for Egyptian citizens in conflict zones. The Senator added that this step confirms that the Egyptian state does not abandon its citizens abroad and that there is high-level coordination between the concerned ministries, foremost among them the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which played a pivotal role in communicating with Egyptians stranded in Libya and registering their data, as well as the operations room formed by the Ministry to monitor the situation moment by moment and take the necessary logistical measures to transport them safely to their homeland. In the same context, El-Gendy stressed the importance of pushing towards a comprehensive and sustainable political settlement in Libya, emphasizing that security or military solutions will not bring stability but will rather complicate the Libyan scene and threaten its unity and territorial integrity. He stated that Egypt has always been a supporter of all political initiatives aimed at achieving Libyan-Libyan consensus away from foreign interference. El-Gendy called on all Libyan parties to prioritize national interest, work to renounce disputes and division, and sit at the dialogue table to reach a formula that guarantees the peaceful transfer of power and the organization of elections as soon as possible, thereby achieving the aspirations of the Libyan people for stability and development. He urged the international community to support peaceful settlement efforts and work to end the state of political stalemate that has dominated the Libyan scene for years. MP Hazem El-Gendy warned that the continuation of tensions will lead to a deterioration of the humanitarian situation and threaten security in the entire region, stressing that the repatriation of Egyptians from Libya is a clear message of the Egyptian state's vigilance and its readiness to act immediately in times of crisis. It also reflects the political leadership's philosophy of protecting the dignity of the Egyptian citizen wherever they are found. Embodying the State's Strength and Affirming that Citizen Dignity is a Red Line In the same vein, Major General Dr. Reda Farahat, Deputy Chairman of the Conference Party and Professor of Political Science, stated that the Egyptian state's success in repatriating 71 detained citizens from Libya reflects the strength of the Egyptian state and its security and diplomatic apparatuses. It reaffirms that the dignity of the Egyptian citizen abroad is a red line that cannot be crossed and that the political leadership, headed by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, places the security and safety of the Egyptian citizen at home and abroad at the top of its priorities. The Professor of Political Science added that the recent operation to liberate and return Egyptian citizens from Libya clearly demonstrates the level of coordination and integration among Egyptian state institutions, whether the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the national security agencies concerned. This is not the first time that Egypt has succeeded in resolving similar crises involving citizens in conflict or threat zones but rather comes within a consistent approach that translates the state's orientation towards protecting its citizens, no matter the challenges. The Professor of Political Science explained that the state's rapid response to move immediately upon receiving information about the detention of Egyptians there, followed by its success in returning them safely to their homeland, confirms that the state possesses effective and influential tools in the region and that it has a pivotal role in the Libyan issue, stemming from its keenness on Libya's stability and territorial integrity and confronting any threat to Egyptian national security. The Deputy Chairman of the Conference Party pointed out that this achievement is not only a victory for the detained Egyptians and their families but also a reassuring message to all Egyptians working abroad, indicating that the state stands behind them, monitors their conditions, and will not abandon them no matter the distance or the complexity of the circumstances. He added that this operation reflects the strength of Egypt's regional position and the extent of the respect of other countries and entities for the Egyptian state when it intervenes in such crises. Farahat stressed that this event should be a motive for greater awareness on the part of citizens, especially regarding illegal travel or going to unsafe areas, noting that what happened is one of the fruits of the New Republic, which believes in the value and dignity of the citizen and is keen to place the Egyptian human being at the heart of the security, development, and stability equation.
The Guardian
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
How did 2020's Black Lives Matter movement change the world? Our panel responds
Osita Nwanevu Columnist at the Guardian US and a contributing editor at the New Republic. He is based in Baltimore Five years after 2020's historic wave of racial justice protests, the US is very obviously a country much changed, though not in the ways that activists and reformers had hoped. Many pundits have interpreted Donald Trump's re-election in November and the culture war he's waging against the kind of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that flourished in response to BLM's activism as the products of a broad public backlash against the movement's goals. On DEI in particular, that backlash is not much in evidence – a CBS poll in October, for instance, found 64% of Americans agreeing efforts to promote racial diversity and equality were going either about right or not far enough. But perceptions matter more than realities in politics. It should be said too that realities on the ground have been disappointing for police reformers lately. While the protests of 2020 led to the drafting of thousands of reform bills in state legislatures across the country, momentum has long since stalled. Civilian oversight boards are struggling to make an impact. Cities that initially cut police budgets wound up increasing funding above pre-protest levels. And federally, a few executive orders aside, hopes for major action fizzled completely under Joe Biden – whose 2020 campaign, researchers have found, was probably aided by the political engagement and shifts in public opinion the protests induced. We may not see protests of this scale again, but one never knows: 74 unarmed people, mostly people of colour, were killed by US police officers last year. And well beyond killings and confrontations, criminal justice in the US is riven with extraordinary inequities, racial and not, that affect millions. With the right spark or the right case, the country could return its attention to those inequities sooner than we expect. Fabiana Moraes Journalist and author based in Recife, Brazil I will never forget when the first protest after the murder of George Floyd was called in my city, Recife, in north-eastern Brazil. A neighbour soon appeared in our building's WhatsApp group sharing the poster of the call and saying: 'Be careful, it will be near the building.' The idea that anti-racist movements are something to be scared of is deeply rooted in Brazilian society. The killing of Black people has been part of the Brazilian social landscape for centuries. In fact, our infamously lethal police force is a source of pride for many. In São Paulo, the high number of killings in the outskirts of the city is celebrated, and there had been attempts to refuse body cameras on police uniforms. The state governor, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans party), a supporter of the former president Jair Bolsonaro, is a likely candidate for president of Brazil. Though he has seemingly reversed his position on body cameras, the thinktank Afrocebrap still warns that Freitas is committed to 'the populist notion that 'a good criminal is a dead criminal''. Unfortunately, the record for leftwing administrations is also grim. In the state of Bahia, which has a Workers' party governor, 752 people were killed in 662 violent incidents involving military police in less than one year in 2023. Another statistic about the Bahian police is even more stark: in that state, of the 616 people killed as a result of military police intervention in 2021, 603 were Black. This number represents 97.9% of the cases. Five years on from Black Lives Matter (BLM), there is little sign of reform or progress – in fact, the US is exacerbating the issue as they provide funding and training to Brazilian police. Adam Elliott-Cooper Researcher and writer based in London. He is the author of Black Resistance to British Policing and a member of Black Lives Matter UK 2020 was a hugely significant moment for our movement. BLM UK as an organisation received more than 36,000 individual donations, amounting in total to an incredible £1.2m. We didn't see this money as 'ours' but meant for Black anti-racist struggle in general, so we decided to redistribute 50% of the funds to other groups. It was described as the largest redistribution of funding to Black groups since the 1980s. This mean £570,000 went towards to dozens of grassroots, Black‑led collectives. This was part of our goal to uplift Black organising both in Britain and internationally. We dedicated the remaining funds towards building a Black-led, antiracist movement that can face the challenges ahead. Some of this key work is represented at our Festival of Collective Liberation, an annual national event in central London, and Project Timbuktu, our Black liberation political education programme. Hundreds of thousands of people in Britain took to the streets chanting 'Black lives matter', and forced institutions to confront colonial legacies, remove racist symbols and adopt (often imperfect) DEI initiatives. These modest and largely symbolic gains were short-lived, as the growth of anti-immigrant sentiment and recent race riots reveals the tenacity of racism in Britain. The return of Donald Trump and the rise of Reform, in the context of Labour's austerity economics, declining living standards and the hostile environment, makes antiracist solidarity and resistance more urgent now than ever. Zanele Mji Writer, investigative journalist and podcaster based in Johannesburg, South Africa In June 2020, South Africans marched through Johannesburg. We had taken to the streets the year before over the rape and murder of 19-year-old Uyinene Mrwetyana, a watershed-moment in our problem with gender-based violence. And we are no stranger to state killings – notably there was the case of Collins Khosa, who was beaten to death by soldiers in Johannesburg during South Africa's Covid-19 lockdown enforcement. This time, we were marching in solidarity with BLM. But I noticed something: the US-based BLM organisation and its leaders offered little reciprocal support to our and other African struggles, such as Nigeria's #EndSars protests against police brutality. It seemed that some Black lives mattered more than others. BLM's insularity benefited US corporations more than Black communities worldwide. Brands rushed to declare solidarity, launching DEI initiatives and partnering with prominent Black figures. But their investment in representation didn't translate into lasting systemic change. Meanwhile, 'digital nomads' fleeing the Trump presidency's erosion of human rights and DEI gains have flocked to South Africa, driving up the cost of housing and other necessities (conversely, Trump is inviting white Afrikaners to seek 'asylum' in the US citing false claims of 'white genocide'). Among them are Black Americans who seem to ignore local Black South Africans' pleas for them to consider the impacts of their 'lifestyle neocolonialism'. Wealthy, western Black lives matter most of all. Abeo Jackson Multi-disciplinary artist and academic from Trinidad and Tobago When I sat opposite the US Embassy in Port of Spain after the killing of George Floyd in 2020, I knew why I had been moved to join the protest. It was about recognising the injustice of racism and anti-blackness not just in the US but here in Trinidad and Tobago, where a considerable percentage of Afro-Trinbagonians face disparities in income, education and opportunity, and are victims of extrajudicial killings that are excused by a desensitized wider society. Trinidad and Tobago has seen few truly meaningful changes regarding the betterment of Black lives and our interactions with state apparatus. There have been amendments to school policy as it pertains to Afro hairstyles. This in a nation where more than 40% of our population is, in fact, of African descent. But our education system remains unequal, and government schools face the scourge of limited resources. The caveat of the new hair policy is that despite the new amendments being ministry policy, enforcement is at each school board's discretion. Extrajudicial killings undertaken by the police continue largely unchecked. The Police Complaints Authority continues to fight an uphill battle against 'rogue' elements in the service. And the population vacillates between apathy and support for these killings in the face of feeling helpless with regard to white-collar-funded gang violence. There continues to be outcry, however, in impoverished 'hot spot' communities where these murders take place. Many times their pain is met with wider public castigation and ridicule. We now have the further complication of a new government that is extremely sympathetic to Trumpian policy. The United National Congress administration was elected on a manifesto that promised easier access to firearms for citizens and stand-your-ground home invasion laws. These potential developments do not bode well for us, a society with issues of distrust along racial lines. Daniel Gyamerah Chair of Each One Teach One In Berlin, Black African people have been marching under the banner of Black Lives Matter since the Ferguson unrest of 2014. But 2020 felt like a turning point – the first time that we were joined by a cross-section of German society, to confront this global phenomenon of anti-Black racism. There was a sense that things in Germany might actually change. The German government presented a list of 89 measures to fight racism and extremism. But five years on that change has not come, the measures long forgotten. In April 2025, a young Afro-German man, Lorenz A, was killed by police in Oldenburg. He was shot at least three times from behind. This has made Afro-diasporic communities feel incredibly vulnerable and unsafe, and the government has said nothing. Even the most basic demand – to refer to a current UN effort to protect the human rights of people of African descent in the new coalition agreement's priorities – has not been taken up. Such disappointment has meant that antiracism activists have restrategised. Though we still agitate for change, we are focusing more on building our own institutions and infrastructure to sustain our movement. To take one example: Each One Teach One is a Black empowerment organisation based in Berlin – we recently published the Afrozensus, a data-gathering project that aims to fill in the knowledge gaps about the 1 million people of African origin in Germany. Though the rise of the far right threatens these gains, we are building confidence, and durable empowerment infrastructure not beholden to political moments.
