Anti Trump Immigration Policies Hit US, Mayor Decries Violence

San Francisco Mayor, Daniel Lurie addressed the public following a protest that escalated into violence over the weekend, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to safety and peaceful expression.

“My first priority as mayor is, and has always been, the safety of everyone who lives or works in San Francisco,” Lurie said. “I have been coordinating with local law enforcement and city departments throughout the weekend to keep everyone safe during this evening’s protest, and I am with our city’s public safety leadership right now, getting real-time updates from the ground.”

The mayor underscored the importance of protecting the right to peaceful protest. “Everyone in this country has a right to make their voice heard peacefully, and local law enforcement will always protect that right and the rights of everyone in our city to be safe.”

However, Lurie condemned the turn toward violence that occurred as the protest wound down. “But we will never tolerate violent and destructive behavior, and as crowds dwindled, a group that remained caused injuries to police officers, vandalized Muni vehicles, and broke windows of local businesses. As a result, SFPD made approximately 60 arrests, and the protest has now wound down.”

“Violence directed at law enforcement or public servants is never acceptable,” he added.

City agencies are now focused on recovery efforts. “We are working right now to clean up damage, get Muni back to full operations, and coordinating across departments to remain fully prepared for any upcoming activities.”

In closing, Lurie reiterated San Francisco’s stance on supporting its immigrant communities. “As I have always said, efforts to target members of our immigrant community who contribute to our city, support our economy, and raise their families here make our city less safe.”

“We will continue San Francisco’s decades-long practice of prioritizing everyone’s safety by supporting community organizations, investing in immigrant legal services, and continuing to build trust with local law enforcement.”

There have been massive protests against Trump’s immigration policies which has seen many persons deported and citizens of countries banned from access into the United States.

Abramovich threatened with legal action over Chelsea sale funds

The UK government is threatening former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich with legal action over the frozen £2.5 billion ($3.4 billion) generated from the sale of the club, which has been earmarked to help Ukraine’s war victims.

Finance minister Rachel Reeves and foreign minister David Lammy said late Monday they were “frustrated” by the failure to reach agreement with Abramovich over where the funds of the May 2022 sale go.

The UK government wants the funds to be directed towards humanitarian purposes in Ukraine, but the oligarch insists they be used for all victims of the conflict, including in Russia.

A consortium led by US businessman Todd Boehly bought the Premier League giants after Abramovich was sanctioned following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and the frozen funds are being held in a UK bank account.

They still legally belong to Abramovic and cannot be moved without a licence from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation.

“The government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine,” said the two ministers.

“We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach an agreement on this with Mr Abramovich so far.

“While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required, to ensure people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible,” they added.

The 58-year-old Russian billionaire bought the club in 2003 and had an estimated fortune of $14.5 billion in 2021.

Chelsea enjoyed their most successful ever period under Abramovich, winning two Champions Leagues, five Premier Leagues, five FA Cups, two Europa Leagues and a Club World Cup.

African Union Condemns Trump Administration’s Travel Ban

The African Union has sharply criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration over its decision to bar citizens from twelve countries—including several African nations—from entering the United States.

In an official statement, the continental body acknowledged Washington’s authority to safeguard its citizens but questioned the rationale behind the move, urging a more balanced and evidence-based approach.

The AU emphasized it “acknowledges the sovereign right of all nations to protect their borders and ensure the security of their citizens” but insisted that such decisions “should be exercised in a manner that is balanced, evidence-based, and reflective of the long-standing partnership between the United States and Africa.”

Representing the interests of 55 African nations, the African Union expressed concern that the travel restrictions could undermine years of diplomatic progress and collaboration between the continent and the U.S.

“The Commission remains concerned about the potential negative impact of such measures on people-to-people ties, educational exchange, commercial engagement, and the broader diplomatic relations that have been carefully nurtured over decades,” the statement said.

The affected countries are Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia and Sudan.

Other affected countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran, and Yemen.

Underscoring the importance of continued collaboration, the AU reiterated that “Africa and the United States share mutual interests in promoting peace, prosperity, and global cooperation,” the commission stated.

In its concluding remarks, the Commission urged Washington to adopt a more inclusive and consultative process moving forward. “The African Union Commission respectfully calls upon the U.S. Administration to consider adopting a more consultative approach and to engage in constructive dialogue with the countries concerned.”