On Saturday, April 19, further demonstrations took place across America addressing various aspects of Donald Trump’s stances on both domestic and international matters. The topics covered ranged from immigration issues and dealings with Elon Musk to decreasing federal bureaucratic control, along with concerns about climate change, tariff policies, infringements on civil rights, and democratic principles.
The protesters chose April 19 as an important date because it signifies the beginning of the American Revolution, which started on April 19, 1775.
The 50501 Movement orchestrated national-scale demonstrations and effectively rallied participants across all 50 states, ensuring that there were 50 separate protest events held in a single day, which inspired its naming.
The concept driving this movement is to heighten public consciousness and concern regarding Trumpian policies across various domestic and international policy areas.
The biggest demonstrations took place in Washington D.C., New York City, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
These demonstrations hold considerable weight in shaping U.S. foreign policy across various issues impacting Africans, such as immigration.
Read: Trump’s order on embassy closures hits African statesFor instance, according to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), there are more than 170,000 Kenyans in the United States. This diaspora community is responsible for remitting over $4 billon to Kenya annually.
Immigration stands as a key topic within the 50501 Movement, affecting both individuals residing in the U.S. legally and those without proper documentation.
Students from Kenya, in particular, are worried about the unlawful imprisonment of international students involved in demonstrations and the random cancellation of their visas.
In addition to this, concerns abound about the deportation of foreign workers without due process, on grounds many legal experts term unconstitutional.
According to the MPI, there were over 11 million unauthorized immigrants residing in the United States by 2022. From 2022 to 2024, approximately 128 individuals from Kenya faced deportation, 309 were held due to immigration-related concerns, and an additional 205 were apprehended for various breaches of immigration laws. Such actions foster a sense of dread within immigrant communities.
A further point of contention for the 50501 demonstrators is the downsizing of the U.S. government. As reported in the March 2025 issue of Newsweek, cuts have affected 12 federal departments due to staff reductions. Additionally, data from February 2025 shows that announcements of job losses by American businesses surged more than 245 percent compared to previous levels.
Government bodies such as USAID, which manages billions of dollars in U.S. assistance for health care and farming initiatives in Africa, have faced disruptions. Similarly, the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), under which the Voice of America falls, has also experienced these effects. Regarding Africa, this disruption specifically affects VOA transmissions in languages including Kiswahili, Hausa, Amharic, Bambara, French, Portuguese, Somali, and Shona.
The reduction of diplomacy is a key concern for protesters who firmly believe that Trump is relinquishing America’s role as a leader in soft power diplomacy through means such as language, art, and the promotion of democratic ideals, human rights, and adherence to the rule of law. Last week, Trump declared significant cuts to America’s diplomatic presence in Africa by shutting down State Department divisions focused on issues like climate change, democracy, and human rights.
After taking charge as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DGE), Elon Musk, who hails from a background with roots in South Africa, has faced substantial protests. As the leader wielding considerable influence, Musk aims to reduce what former President Donald Trump refers to as an overbearing bureaucratic system that undermines state authority.
Members of the 50501 Movement challenge the legal foundation for many of Musk’s activities. His position within the Trump administration was unclear, since he did not undergo Senate confirmation.
Read: The Impact of Trump’s Tariffs on African Economies Some proprietors of Elon Musk’s Tesla vehicle line have experienced vandalism of their cars, with Tesla dealerships facing attacks throughout the United States. On April 18, law enforcement officials from the U.S. Justice Department apprehended and indicted a sixth individual for involvement in recent widespread acts of vandalism targeting Tesla dealerships, charging stations, and automobiles across the nation.
Upon taking office, Trump promptly withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. This decision has implications for Kenya, particularly due to Nairobi’s significant role in global environmental efforts as the home of the UN Environment and Habitat headquarters.
The skepticism toward climate change promoted during the Trump administration hampers the implementation and impact of the Nairobi Declaration on climate issues. Furthermore, it remains uncertain how Trump’s stance on environmental policies might influence the strategies of both the African Union and international collaborative efforts regarding climate action. Additionally, the 50501 demonstrators drew attention to Trump’s approach to tariffs, which are inconsistent and penalize even America’s nearest allies through a uniform 10% tax rate. This lack of reliability in U.S. leadership undermines trust among close partners. Such tariff measures disturb commerce and introduce instability into worldwide economic forums.
A trade conflict between the United States and China or the United States and the European Union would have ripple effects on developing countries in the Global South. For example, increasing tariffs on Kenyan products by 10 percent could result in job cuts within U.S.-focused export-oriented industries like those found in export processing zones.
Prolonged ambiguity regarding tariffs may cause the Kenyan shilling to weaken relative to various foreign currencies. Inevitably, these tariffs imposed by Trump have the potential to increase inflation within the U.S., possibly leading to an economic downturn. This decline could significantly reduce the number of American tourists visiting Kenya. The United States remains Kenya’s primary supplier of tourism. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
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