News Roundup: June 9 – June 22
Texas:
Sam Houston Statue Protest – Armed protestors wielding Texas and Confederate flags were present at Hermann Park June 10. The protestors were members of the group “This is Texas,” and were responding to a rumored protest advocating the removal of the Sam Houston statue by “Texas Antifa.” “This is Texas” saw the removal of the Sam Houston statue as whitewashing and an attempt to erase Texas history. “Houston Antifa,” a local chapter of the International Antifascist/Antiracist organization ANTIFA, called the Facebook group that spread the rumor fake and full of internet trolls. “Houston Antifa” has not advocated the removal of the statue. “This is Texas” transitioned their protest into one supporting Texas history.
Anti-Sharia Law Protest – Anti-Sharia Law protestors met with pro-Muslim counter protestors June 10 at the San Jacinto Battleground in La Porte. The protest was organized by “ACT for America.” As stated on its website, the organization is the largest and most influential national security advocacy organization in the United States, and no organization has done more to combat the threat of radical Islamic terrorism.
Child Marriage – Gov. Greg Abbot signed SB 1705 into law June 15 banning child marriage throughout the state. Prior to the new law, 16-and-17-year olds could marry with parental consent, and a child of any age could be married with judicial approval. Texas has the highest number of child marriages in the United States with nearly 40,000 children under 18 married from 2000 to 2014. Texas is the second state after Virginia to close loopholes allowing child marriage.
House Bill 3859 – Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3859 into law June 16 allowing child welfare organizations, such as adoption and foster care agencies, to deny services that conflict with the provider’s religious beliefs. Rep. James Frank (TX-R) said the bill bans no one and offers alternative providers to anyone denied services.
Paris Climate Conference of Mayors – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner pledged Houston as one of 292 cities joining the Paris Climate Accord following President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the 190-nation agreement. “Cities are front and center in the fight against climate change,” said Turner.
United States:
Emoluments Clause – Trump is accused of violating the emoluments clause of the Constitution by three separate parties as of June 14: Attorneys General Brian Frosh of Maryland and Karl Racine of the District of Columbia, nearly 200 democratic members of Congress and the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. The groups contend Trump of violating the Constitution by profiting from foreign governments through his businesses.
Comey and Sessions Testimony – Former Director of the FBI James Comey and current Attorney General of the United States Jeff Sessions testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee June 8 and June 9. Comey testified that Trump demanded loyalty and, unable to deliver, was subsequently fired. Sessions testified in defense of himself and the President, as well as his recusal from the ongoing Russian election intervention investigation and his involvement in Comey’s firing.
Paris Accord – Hawaii has become the first US state to pass legislation in line with the Paris Climate accord. Trump announced June 1 that he was withdrawing the United States from the voluntary Paris Climate Accord. Hawaii Governor David Ige signed into law a measure that would place Hawaii in line with the greenhouse gas reductions the agreement recommends, as well as promoting conservation and committing Hawaii to the U.S. Climate Alliance.
GOP Baseball Shooting – James Hodgkinson open fired on dozens of republican congressmen and staffers attending baseball practice June 14, critically wounding House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and injuring four others. Hodgkinson died at the scene. Scalise’s condition has been upgraded to serious and remains in the hospital.
International
Britain – Prime Minister Theresa May’s snap election June 8, meant to consolidate power ahead of Brexit negotiations, left her Conservative Party’s majority eight seats shy of the number required to govern. May announced she would partner with a minority party from Ireland to consolidate the remaining seats necessary. The Labour Party, as the runner-up, has an opportunity to ally with smaller parties and attempt to do the same. If neither party achieves a coalition with enough seats to govern, the Conservatives would be left to attempt a minority government. If the stalemate continues, there could be another general election. This comes days before the United Kingdom begins formal negotiations with the European Union regarding Brexit.
Qatar – Saudi Arabia and several other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council abruptly cut diplomatic ties with Qatar June 5, citing Qatar’s lack of response to extremism. More than 10 thousand U.S. soldiers are currently stationed in Qatar, a key ally in the middle east and home to the largest U.S. military base in the region. The US military stated it had no plans to leave Qatar amid the crisis, with the Pentagon reaching out to continue its relationship with Qatar. However, Trump tweeted his support of the Saudi-coalition’s severance, stating that Qatar served as a warning to those who supported terrorism.
South Korea – Newly-elected South Korean President Moon Jae-in called for the rollout of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system by the United States to be halted. The THAAD system has been vocally opposed by China, and relations between China and South Korea have worsened since its initial deployment. US Navy Commander Gary Ross said, “The US trusts South Korea’s stance that the THAAD deployment was an alliance decision and it will not be reversed.”
Iran – Suicide bombers claiming to be members of ISIS attacked parliament and the mausoleum of the Islamic Republic’s founder Ayatollah Khomeini in Tehran June 7. Iranian Revolutionary Guards blame Saudi Arabia and the United States for the attack that left 12 dead. All the attackers were killed, and five people suspected of planning a third attack were arrested.
On the bright side
Charity – American individuals, estates, foundations and corporations donated an estimated $390.05 billion to United States charities in 2016, a new record and more than $10 billion more than the previous year. This is the sixth major increase in donations in the last four decades, with notable contributions from individuals up 4 percent from 2015.
