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The Week That Was: Global News in Review
From Israeli military raids in the West Bank to the rise of far-right politics in Germany, this week’s global news highlights the escalating tension in conflict zones and democratic shifts across Europe. Meanwhile, China’s deepening ties with Africa and Venezuela’s political crisis remind us how rapidly the global landscape is changing, with lasting impacts on international relations.
A Guide to the Upcoming Presidential Debate
Get ready for one of the most anticipated political showdowns of 2024 as Donald Trump and Kamala Harris face off in a high-stakes presidential debate. This guide provides everything you need to know about how to watch, including key details and analysis of what to expect from each candidate’s approach. With Trump’s unpredictable style and Harris’s calm, fact-driven approach, this debate promises to be a defining moment in the race for the White House.
The Olympic Controversies Reviewed
From France’s divisive hijab ban to contentious gender eligibility rulings, the Paris 2024 Olympics were marred by heated controversy. These Games raised urgent questions about fairness, freedom, and the integrity of international sport—issues that will linger far beyond the closing ceremonies.
What does Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Announcement Mean?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s unexpected endorsement of Donald Trump and his strategic withdrawal from the presidential race has dramatically reshaped the 2024 election landscape. As Kennedy’s support could sway crucial battleground states, the move not only highlights his complex political shift but also intensifies the battle between Trump and Harris.
Ukraine’s Surprise Offensive: What it Means for the War Ahead
In a bold and unexpected move, Ukraine launched a surprise offensive into Russian territory, marking the first invasion of Russia since World War II. With Russian forces scrambling to respond, this daring strategy could shift the dynamics of the war and reshape the future of the conflict.
Navigating Ethics in a Digital Age
In an increasingly digital world, navigating the ethical challenges of data privacy, AI bias, and the digital divide has become more urgent than ever. By addressing these issues head-on, we can build a more equitable digital future that protects individual rights and promotes social justice.
Takeaways from Harris’s CNN Interview
In her first interview as the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris struck a careful balance between continuity with Biden’s policies and courting moderate voters, while avoiding any major controversy. With a lead in the polls and a strategy to keep things steady, Harris’s measured performance could be key to maintaining momentum against Trump’s aggressive campaign.
Vote Blue This Election—A One Time Only Action to Resist Fascism and Renew Democracy
In this critical 2024 election, we at U.S. RESIST NEWS urge voters to set aside party loyalty, just this once, and join us in supporting candidates who will stand firm against the authoritarian forces threatening our democracy. Taking this single, decisive action is essential to safeguarding our rights and securing the future of a free and just America.
The Week That Was: Global News in Review
In a week marked by escalating conflicts and public health crises, our global news review covers the Mpox outbreak, Ukraine’s bold military advances, Sudan’s relentless civil war, and the latest in U.S.-Panama migration policy. These unfolding stories highlight the urgent challenges shaping our world today.
Trump Got Shot: Is It Time for Another Debate About Gun Ownership Laws?
Trump Got Shot: Is It Time for Another Debate About Gun Ownership Laws?
Social Justice Policy Brief #168 | By: Inijah Quadri | July 25, 2024
Featured Photo: www.cnn.com
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The recent attempt on Donald Trump’s life has reignited the intense debate over gun ownership laws in the United States. The attack, involving an AR-15-style rifle, has highlighted the ongoing conflict between gun rights advocates and those calling for stricter gun control measures. The incident has brought to the forefront questions about the adequacy of current gun laws and whether more stringent regulations are necessary to prevent such events in the future.
The AR-15, often a focal point in discussions about gun control, has been involved in several high-profile shootings, raising concerns about its availability to the general public. Gun reform advocates argue that the ease of access to such weapons poses a significant threat to public safety. The debate centers on balancing Second Amendment “ right to bear arms” with the need to protect citizens from gun violence.
Analysis
Gun ownership and control have been deeply divisive issues in American politics. Former President Donald Trump is a staunch supporter of gun rights, receiving endorsements from the National Rifle Association (NRA) and advocating for the protection of the Second Amendment. His administration took steps to loosen certain gun restrictions while focusing on mental health as a factor in gun violence.
Conversely, President Joe Biden has pushed for more stringent gun control measures, including a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Biden’s legislative efforts have aimed at enhancing background checks and closing loopholes that allow individuals deemed dangerous to purchase firearms.
The shooting incident at the Trump rally has intensified calls from gun control advocates for renewed legislative action. Organizations like Brady: United Against Gun Violence and prominent activists such as David Hogg continually demand a reassessment of current gun laws, emphasizing the potential for such laws to prevent future tragedies. Studies, such as one from Northwestern University, suggest that an assault weapons ban could significantly reduce the number of mass shootings and casualties.
However, legislative efforts face substantial opposition. The Supreme Court’s conservative majority has made it challenging to enact new restrictions, requiring that any new laws align with the nation’s historical tradition of gun ownership. This interpretation creates a high bar for passing modern gun control measures, complicating efforts to address the issue comprehensively.
The attempt on Trump’s life underscores the urgent need for a nuanced debate on gun ownership laws in the United States. Policymakers must navigate the complex landscape of constitutional rights, public safety concerns, and political realities. While there are strong arguments on both sides, the primary goal should be to develop policies that effectively reduce gun violence while respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.
Engagement Resources:
- The Giffords Law Center (https://giffords.org/lawcenter/): Provides comprehensive information on gun laws and advocacy for policy change.
- Everytown for Gun Safety (https://www.everytown.org/): Focuses on campaigns to end gun violence and promote safer communities.
- NRA-ILA (https://www.nraila.org/): Defends Second Amendment rights and provides resources for gun owners and advocates.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Violence Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/firearms/index.html): Offers data and research on gun violence and prevention strategies.
Wanna stay in-the-know? Always get the latest updates from our reporters by subscribing to the U.S. Resist News Weekly Newsletter, and please consider contributing to ‘Keeping Democracy Alive’ by donating today! We depend on support from readers like you to aide in protecting fearless independent journalism.
Who is JD Vance?
Who is JD Vance?
Elections & Politics Policy Brief #133 | By: Arvind Salem| July 25, 2024
Featured Photo: www.cnn.com
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After possibly the best month of his political career, complete with heroically surviving assassination and a triumphant debate performance spurring calls for his opponent to leave the race, Donald Trump had one last major political task: selecting a vice-president. Dissatisfied with Mike Pence for his refusal to help Trump overturn the 2020 election, Trump turned to a new candidate, one that has publicly expressed he would do what Pence wouldn’t on January 6th: JD Vance.
JD Vance burst into the spotlight after the publication of his memoir Hillbilly Elegy. The memoir was even taken up by Hollywood and made into a movie. Taken as a narrative, the memoir tells the inspirational story of how J.D. Vance grew up in a poor, broken household yet still managed to rise to the highest echelons of American society. The book was a very product of his rise to this level of society, as it was Yale Law Professor Amy Chua that encouraged Vance to write it in the first place. The book was published in 2016, before Vance would be selected for Vice-President or even win his election to the Senate (which he won in 2022). However, Hillbilly Elegy received backlash from many members of Appalachia as overly critical of Appalachia’s culture and history, and they argued that Vance was using his anecdotal experience to make unsubstantiated, broad statements about Appalachia as a whole. The broader, controversial, argument of Hillbilly Elegy that Vance explicitly states is that culture and laziness are the root cause of poverty rather than uncontrollable economic circumstance. Politically, Hillbilly Elegy became significant as a way to justify Trump’s appeal to formerly blue collar, Democrat industrial towns in 2016, leading to the collapse of the “Blue Wall” in Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton.
Analysis:
As a person, JD Vance has a deeply inspiring story. However, in terms of policy, JD Vance’s positions represent dangerous chameleon tendencies (also observed by JD’s mentor David Frum, a speechwriter in the George W. Bush administration, who helped Vance early in his career).
There is no clearer example of this, than JD’s position on Donald Trump, where he first called him a “fraud,” “a moral disaster” and “cultural heroin” but then sought Trump’s endorsement in a crowded Republican primary in Ohio and has been one of his loyalists ever since. Since then, he’s mirrored and even extended many of the right’s political positions. In the Senate, he “introduced a bill seeking to establish English as the official national language” and has called for the deportation of “every single person who invaded our country illegally.” On abortion, he’s more extreme than even Trump himself, who wants to leave it to the states, saying that he would support a national abortion ban after 15 weeks. He supports halting aid to Ukraine and cracking down on dissidents at universities.
Some of these positions are well within the acceptable window of common public discourse, namely halting aid to Ukraine, but the root of the problem stems from JD’s obsequiousness towards Donald Trump on issues that should not be in the realm of discussion (such as overturning a democratic election in 2020). Before January 6th, in modern history, there has not really ever been a choice between following a President or protecting democracy. JD made clear that given that choice: he would choose Trump and ask the states to explore multiple slates of electors, which is a power left to the states and not the vice-president: an ironic turn of events for the party of devolution.
Engagement Resources:
- Brennan Center; The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School is an organization that promotes reforms to American democracy and argues against many practices today such as gerrymandering and mass incarceration. Readers who are concerned about the health of democracy in light of this pick may wish to donate to this organization.
- Act for America; Act for America is an organization that seeks to educate and mobilize Americans against foreign and domestic threats, and advocates for bills to achieve these aims. Those who feel that this pick constitutes a breakdown of justice may wish to support this organization.
- ActBlue; ActBlue allows people to donate to a host of Democratic organizations, candidates, and causes. Readers are likely to find organizations that are opposing the Trump -Vance ticket on this site and may wish to donate money to further that cause.
Stay in-the-know! Always get the latest updates from our reporters by subscribing to the U.S. Resist News Weekly Newsletter. Your support is crucial in safeguarding fearless independent journalism. If you appreciate our content, please consider donating today to help protect democracy and empower citizenship.
Political Violence in America: A Troubling Trend
Political Violence in America: A Troubling Trend
Social Justice Policy Brief #167 | By: Morgan Davidson | July 22, 2024
Featured Photo: npr.org
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Much has been made about political violence in America, with the most recent event being the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Was the attempted assassination simply due to recent campaign rhetoric, or is it indicative of a larger issue? From the Congressional Baseball Shooting, racially motivated shootings like in El Paso and Buffalo, the BLM riots, January 6th, and now with the attempted assassination of a former president, the evidence is undeniable that political tensions and violence are on the rise. This Brief covers what political violence is, why it happens, historical and recent trends, what can be done to decrease the threats, and concludes with some final thoughts.
Instances of political violence include verbal intimidation, harassment, physical abuse, property damage, and assassinations motivated by politics. Although verbal violence is less severe than physical violence, it affects political processes and mental health, potentially leading to further violence. Non-physical violence, like the Brooks Brothers Riot, can disrupt political processes. Defining violence this way aligns with how people perceive and experience political violence.
Analysis
When violence occurs in political contexts, it often stems from feelings of distrust, anger, being forgotten, beliefs the government does not care about me, a lack of familiarity with political counterparts or government processes, and viewing violence as a justifiable way to achieve political ends. Political violence is also subject to tit-for-tat episodes and cycles of retaliation. Ending this violence is challenging as in-group members tend to support and perpetuate violence against the out-group.
Historically, much of the political violence in America has been driven by racial tensions, with events such as Bacon’s Rebellion, the Civil War, the Tulsa Massacre, and Jim Crow-motivated assaults highlighting this trend. These tensions persist today, evidenced by shootings in Buffalo and El Paso linked to the far-right’s embrace of replacement theory.
Various factors in the socio-political environment influence acts of political violence, such as encouragement by political leaders, existence of political support groups, and an individual’s motivation and capacity. Political violence can be spawned by so-called support groups and militias. For example, groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers played prominent roles in the violent insurrection at our nation’s capital on January 6th.
There are growing growing laws and norms that can be used to help curtail political violence, such as hate crime and gun regulation laws, but their effectiveness varies.Outside of legal options to decrease violence, people must understand each other on a personal level and understand how the government works. Returning to where people see their neighbors as neighbors, not partisans, is vital to decreasing violence. Further, fostering a better understanding of government functions and promoting non-violent ways to voice political grievances and drive change can help diminish violence.
Instances like the attempted assassination of Donald Trump provide us as Americans with an inflection point. While polarization will almost certainly plague American democracy for the foreseeable future, there is work that can be done to mitigate the violent effects of hostility and hatred stemming from such steep polarization. If we silo citizens with partisan information, they will be operating under a limited set of facts and views. It is crucial to communicate with and understand the people in your community who may not align with your political identity. We are all Americans and have a vested interest in achieving outcomes together that better all of us.
Engagement Resources:
- The Violence Project researches violence, including political violence, to understand its causes and develop strategies for prevention. https://www.theviolenceproject.org/
- CSIS analyzes and researches political violence, extremism, and related issues, including domestic and international aspects. https://www.csis.org/
- SPLC tracks hate groups and extremist activities in the U.S. and conducts research on political violence and its root causes. https://www.splcenter.org/
Wanna stay in-the-know? Always get the latest updates from our reporters by subscribing to the U.S. Resist News Weekly Newsletter, and please consider contributing to ‘Keeping Democracy Alive’ by donating today! We depend on support from readers like you to aide in protecting fearless independent journalism.
Slowing Down Fast Fashion
Slowing Down Fast Fashion
Environment Policy Brief #171 | By: Allie Amato | July 17, 2024
Featured Photo: hellomackies.com
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It takes about 700 gallons of water for the fashion industry to produce one, solitary, cotton shirt. The amount of water used in jean production is even more exorbitant, needing roughly 2000 gallons to churn out just one pair. The reality of fast fashion is that about 87% of these garments ultimately end up in landfills. Clothing manufacturers like Shein, Zara, and H&M are labeled as fast fashion brands due to their quick turnaround of low-cost garments to keep up with the latest trends. These energy-intensive practices come at a high price, creating a significant amount of waste, and polluting the atmosphere, water, and wildlife habitats. Congress, however, is starting to take notice with the conception of the Slow Fashion Caucus, the first-ever effort of its kind. At its helm is House Representative, Chellie Pingree of Maine. In late June, Pinegree announced the caucus, the Democrat saying the aim is to develop “climate-smart policies” to reduce the fashion industry’s outsized consumption of natural resources.
Analysis:
While most industries are highly regulated, the fashion industry goes almost entirely unregulated. Legislation to curb fast fashion has already passed in rare unanimity through the lower house of the French Parliament. On the other hand, the United States has been lagging in terms of public policy. With a topic as polarizing as climate change at the center of this issue, it will likely be an uphill battle for American lawmakers to get the fashion industry in check. Representative Pinegree’s efforts though are backed by notable lawmakers including New York Democrats, Jerry Nadler and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez. The Slow Fashion Caucus also has the support of sustainable fashion industry leaders, like Patagonia, thredUP, L.L. Bean, and the RealReal. The caucus hopes to jump-start change through incentives and circular economy policies. Considering fashion is one of the world’s biggest manufacturing industries and the second-largest consumer of water, Pinegreen believes brands “have the power to be part of the solution”
On top of excessive water consumption, apparel manufacturers in fast fashion account for as much as 10% of greenhouse gas emissions. The United Nations predicts that by 2030, emissions from textile manufacturing will surge to 6 times that amount. Textiles made using fossil-derived synthetics like polyester shed microplastics too. This pollutes our waterways and leads to marine animals ingesting the non-biodegradable debris. The shedding of microplastics threatens biodiversity for animals in every ecosystem. A circular economy could be a great start, as it promotes the reuse, repair, and recycling of textiles. It’s one of the main principles the Slow Fashion Caucus has adopted in hopes of ensuring less pollution and waste. The Fibers Fund is another backer of the Slow Fashion Caucus. They provide financial support for small American natural textile producers, focused on creating an equitable alternative to fast fashion. The fund’s managing director, Sarah Kelly champions the caucus calling it a “Collaborative action towards an equitable and regenerative textile industry.” A circular economy model would also force the industry’s hand to reduce the strain on egregiously underpaid and overworked garment workers in the global south and beyond.
Among fast-fashion’s biggest players are Temu, Shien, Zara UNIQLO, Forever 21, and H&M. It can be daunting to realize the Earth and its inhabitant’s livelihood relies heavily on the actions of huge, seemingly untouchable companies. Hope remains, as there are ways to play a part in change through voting, supporting environmental organizations, and educating others through climate activism.
Engagement Resources:
- The Ethical Brand Directory features companies that value sustainability and hold themselves accountable for where their garments end up.
- The Climate Reality Project was founded by former Vice President and climate activist, Al Gore. Their goal is net zero and they want to accomplish that through leadership training by renowned scientists and policymakers to help advocates lead the charge in their own communities.
- American Circular Textiles (ACT) is a coalition aiming to reduce textile waste and establish circular fashion policies.
What Should the Democrats Do?
What Should the Democrats Do?
JUNE OP ED | By: Ron Israel & the U.S. Resist News Staff | July 2024
Featured Photo: axios.com
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Although some Democrats would like someone else to be their candidate it does not look like Joe Biden wants to step aside. Maybe this is foolish narcissism on his part, but also maybe he has a good case to make for himself. This is what that case looks like.
‣ He has a lifetime of experience in doing this stuff, having worked the front office desks and back alleys of US politics for years.
‣ He delivered more good public policy and programs during his first term than almost any other President in our history. The Pandemic came to an end, millions of new jobs have been created, inflation itself has been greatly reduced, huge public and private investments are being made in clean energy, US semi-conductor industry has been boosted, our alliances with other countries, especially in Europe, have been greatly strengthened, Russia has been stymied in its efforts to conquer Ukraine, China’s expansionist efforts have been largely contained, student debt has been reduced, the price of insulin has been capped, among other things.
‣ Implementing an alternative national primary would stand a good chance of being highly chaotic. There is little time in which to do this and no other candidate comes close to Biden in terms of experience and accomplishments.
‣ Kamala Harris is the only person who conceivably could step in and replace Biden at the top of the ticket, but she is not going to do that unless Biden steps aside. However if Biden wins a 2nd term it is comforting to know that Kamala as VP could take over should something happen to him.
‣ Biden already has the committed delegates he needs to win the Democratic nomination. He also has the support of influential stakeholder groups like labor unions, the Black and Hispanic caucuses, and many state Governors and mayors.
It does not appear that Biden wants to leave, believing that he can make up the current gap between him and Trump before the election. The sooner the Democratic party can accept this and unify behind Biden, the better their chances of winning the election are. Prolonging the Biden/no-Biden debate only plays into the hands of Trump.
This is even more true after the recent attempted assassination attempt on Trump; this incident, among other things reinforces the need for stability in our political system and the upcoming election. To attempt to implement an alternative primary system, as a few Democrats are proposing, would breathe more chaos into an already chaotic situation.
He probably would not like us saying this but Joe Biden has a little bit of Donald Trump stubbornness in him. In addition he has age-old wisdom and experience, an ability to design and implement effective public policy, and a sincere love for his country and its people. He does stutter, occasionally mixes up words, and has an elderly person’s stiff gait. However these afflictions of age don’t come close to outweighing the attributes he brings to this very important election.
Stay informed with the latest insights from our dedicated reporters by subscribing to the U.S. Resist Democracy Weekly Newsletter. Your support is crucial in safeguarding fearless, independent journalism. If you appreciate our content, please consider donating today to continue in helping to protect democracy and empower citizenship.
Global Election Watch
Global Election Watch
Foreign Policy Brief #149 | By: Ibrahim Castro | July 13, 2024
Featured Photo: latimes.com
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The election delivered a chaotic result, with no party taking enough seats for a majority in parliament, plunging French politics into turmoil that could last months. | Carl Court/Getty Images
French Elections
After the shock of the European parliamentary elections that saw far-right parties top polls in several European countries, including France, where the far-right National Rally won 31.5% of the vote, more than twice that of the ruling Renaissance party. President Emmanuel Macron made the decision to call snap parlimentary elections last month. After the voting ended, all parties fell well below the 289 seats needed to control the 577 seat National Assembly. A coalition of the French left won the most seats, beating back a far-right surge but failing to win an outright majority.
The results have left France facing the prospect of a hung parliament and political stagnation. The results showed that in first place, with just over 180 seats, was the New Popular Front leftist coalition; then came the centrist Renaissance party of French President Emmanuel Macron, with more than 160 seats. Finally, the far-right National Rally party and its allies won third place, with more than 140 seats in parliament. Later that day, centrist Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced his resignation. President Macron said he would not step down and will stay president until his term ends in 2027. Still, the far-right has made considerable gains in France over the years, increasing its seats in parliament from seven in 2017 to over 140 today, and is unlikely to give up its attempt to come to power in the coming years.
Britain’s incoming Prime Minister Keir Starmer and leader of the Labour Party, and his wife Victoria pose on the steps of 10 Downing Street in London on July 5, 2024.
UK Elections
The United Kingdom general elections on July 5, 2024, provided the center left Labour Party with a landslide election victory, bringing the party to power for the first time in 19 years. With far-right parties ascendant elsewhere in Europe, the UK has swung in the opposite direction. For the Conservatives (the Tories) under outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, it was the worst defeat in their party’s nearly 200-year history. Smaller parties also made gains in this election.
The environmentalist Green Party had its most successful election night winning a record four seats, up from only one in the last parliamentary election in 2019. The far-right, anti-immigrant Reform UK party will enter Parliament for the first time, with five seats and among them, its leader and far-right politician, Nigel Farage, who ran and lost seven times previously. The results represent one of the largest swings in British political history, and a huge defeat for the Conservative Party.
Iranian reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian reacts after casting his ballot during the presidential runoff in Shareh Qods, west of Tehran on Friday July 6 2024 Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
Iranian Elections
On July 6, 2024 reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran’s presidential election, besting hard-liner Saeed Jalili. Pezeshkian ran on a platform promising to reach out to the West and ease enforcement on the country’s mandatory headscarf law. After years of sanctions and protests squeezing the country the Iranian population sought to keep a hardliner conservative candidate out of the presidency.
Iranian officials estimate about 30 million people turned out in Friday’s vote, or about 49% of eligible voters, which is considered low for presidential elections in the country. Pezeshkian will face an uphill battle implementing reforms as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the final arbiter of all matters of state in the country.
Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, greets supporters at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters during election results night in New Delhi, India, on June 4, 2024. Prakash Singh/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Indian Elections
Early last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared victory for his governing alliance in India’s general election. Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata party lost seats to a stronger than expected opposition. The results demonstrate a push back against his mixed economic record, and polarizing nationalist-ethno-religious politics. For the first time since his Hindu nationalist party swept to power in 2014, it did not secure a majority on its own. It instead won 240 seats, far short of the record 303 it won in the 2019 election. That means Modi will need the support of other parties in a coalition. More than 640 million votes were cast in the marathon election held over a span of six weeks in what is referred to as the world’s largest democratic exercise.
Claudia Sheinbaum waves to supporters in Mexico City on June 3. Raquel Cunha/Reuters
Mexican Elections
Mexico on June 2, 2024 elected Claudia Sheinbaum, the former mayor of the capital, as the country’s first female president in the country’s 200 year history. The 61 year old environmental scientist-turned-politician was a protege of Mexico’s outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and will replace him as head of the ruling MORENA party. In October, she will assume leadership of a nation confronting a range of challenges with security issues at its forefront. Sheinbaum’s Morena party also held its majorities in both chambers of Congress.
For more updates, articles, in-depth analysis and weekly reviews on Global News, click here.
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The Week That Was: Global News In Review
The Week That Was: Global News In Review
Foreign Policy Brief #148 | By: Ibrahim Castro | July 12, 2024
Featured Photo: latimes.com
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President Xi, left, meets President Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Astana [Sergei Guneev/Sputnik via Reuters]
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit
Last week in Kazakhstan’s capital of Astana, the 24th gathering of leaders from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) took place. The SCO is a regional bloc that was founded in 2001, but has grown to greater importance in recent years. The group is made up of China, Russia, Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who was visiting Central Asia also attended the summit, showing support for the bloc. Turkey, a NATO member, recently expressed interest in joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a full member. China’s President Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin voiced their ambitions at the summit for closer security, political and economic cooperation between countries of the Eurasian region as a counter to Western alliances.
A man holds up a flag of Kenya as police use tear gas to disperse protesters during a demonstration in Nairobi, Kenya [Monicah Mwangi/Reuters]
Kenyan Protests
Waves of protests have swept through Kenya, triggered by controversial proposed tax hikes, the movement has evolved into a wider campaign for more accountable governance in the country. The protests, dubbed “occupy parliament”, were co-ordinated and mobilized on social media, Kenyan President William Ruto, who at first claimed the protests were illegitimate and orchestrated by criminals, finally gave in and agreed to shelve the contentious tax hike legislation, called Finance Bill 2024, on 26 June.
Despite the win, demonstrators vowed to press on and demand for president Ruto to resign in a wider campaign against his rule under the hashtag “RutoMustGo”. Kenya’s national debt stands at around $80 billion, about three quarters of its annual economic output, and 65% of annual revenue goes to repaying the country’s debt. Most of the unpopular policies fall under a set of reforms that Kenya has agreed to implement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Kenya is just the latest country on the continent to have experienced large-scale fallout stemming from the economic pain.
Palestinian schoolchildren stand at the courtyard of a school in the West Bank village of Urif, south of the northern city of Nablus, backdropped by buildings of the Israeli settlement of Yitzhar [File: Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP]
Israel Approves Three Settlement Outposts, Thousands of Homes in West Bank
The Israeli government has approved plans to build nearly 5,300 new homes in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. The move comes on the heels of the Israeli government having approved the largest West Bank land seizure in more than three decades. The construction of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory is illegal under international law and settlement expansion is widely seen as a major obstacle to the viability of a Palestinian state.
The far-right Netanyahu administration is itself dominated by settlers. The hard-line nationalist finance minister, Bazalel Smotrich, himself a settler, is in charge of settlement policy and has said his rapid expansion drive is in intended to ensure a Palestinian state cannot be created. In an escalation over past months, settlers have carried out more than 1,000 attacks on Palestinians towns and villages, causing deaths, damaging property and in some cases prompting Palestinians to flee villages.
![Damaged houses and building along the shore are seen in a drone photograph after the passage of Hurricane Beryl, on the island of Carriacou, Grenada [Arthur Daniel/Reuters]](https://www.usresistnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-12-193928-300x181.png "The Week That Was: Global News In Review 9")
Damaged houses and building along the shore are seen in a drone photograph after the passage of Hurricane Beryl, on the island of Carriacou, Grenada [Arthur Daniel/Reuters]
Mexico and Caribbean Battered by Hurricane Beryl
Last week Hurricane Beryl swept through Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, northern Venezuela, and Mexico. While passing through the Caribbean the storm left at least eleven people dead in its wake before then making its way to Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula where it then moved into the Gulf of Mexico and, where it is forecast to take a path toward Mexico and southern Texas. The Hurricane reportedly damaged or destroyed a staggering 95% of homes on a pair of islands in St Vincent and the Grenadines. This storm has been recorded as the fiercest storm ever this early in the Atlantic hurricane season, a new reality scientists say has been fuelled by climate change.
For more updates, articles, in-depth analysis and weekly reviews on Global News, click here.
Stay informed with the latest insights from our dedicated reporters by subscribing to the U.S. Resist Democracy Weekly Newsletter. Your support is crucial in safeguarding fearless, independent journalism. If you appreciate our content, please consider donating today to continue in helping to protect democracy and empower citizenship.
Takeaways From the Presidential Immunity Decision
Takeaways From the Presidential Immunity Decision
Civil Rights Policy Brief #227 | By: Rodney A. Maggay | July 12, 2024
Featured Photo: chicagotribune.com
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On July 1, 2024 the United States Supreme Court handed down the case Trump v. United States. The case was popularly known as the presidential immunity case. After Mr. Trump lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden, he was indicted in four separate criminal cases. On August 1, 2023 a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. indicted the former president for conspiring to overturn the 2020 election, obstructing the counting and certification of the electoral votes and spreading knowingly false claims of election fraud. Initially, federal district judge Tonya Chutkan rejected Trump’s claims of presidential immunity. An appeal was made to the United States Supreme Court and accepted. The Court heard oral arguments on April 25, 2023. In a highly anticipated decision, the Court handed down its decision on the last day of the 2024 term, a 6 – 3 ruling that approved of presidential immunity when the President is performing his official duties while also deciding that a president has no immunity for non – official duties. LEARN MORE
Analysis:
The presidential immunity case was expected to be a blockbuster case and when it finally was handed down it did not disappoint. The case was always going to be controversial. While there are notable points to highlight, a closer examination of the decision reveals a decision that did not clarify an important legal concept but instead may have muddied the issue of presidential immunity even more.
Chief Justice John Roberts’ majority opinion approached the issue by categorizing acts taken by a president into two categories – official acts and un – official acts. In a criminal prosecution case, the Court attempted to balance the competing interests of preventing intrusion into a functioning Executive Branch and the compelling public interest in a fair and effective enforcement of the laws over everybody, including a president. The Court reasoned that a president has presumptive immunity because a chief executive must have the space to carry out his constitutional duties without undue caution that he might be criminally prosecuted for his acts later. And after declaring this, the Court declared that a President does not have immunity for un – official acts. This framework is a logical extension of prior cases (e.g., the Nixon v. Fitzgerald case that held a president is also immune from civil suits) but the Court created confusion when it refused to issue a legal rule that would guide lower courts as to how to delineate between official acts and un – official acts.
The Supreme Court often issues legal rules to provide guidance to lower courts as to how to deal with common issues and fact patterns. Free speech cases have the three tiers of rules that courts use to analyze speech cases – strict scrutiny, intermediate scrutiny and the rational basis test. The Reasonable Expectation of Privacy test under the Fourth Amendment is used to determine if a search by law enforcement is reasonable and whether it must conform to the limitations of the Fourth Amendment. When the Court declared that it must be first determined whether a president’s acts were official or un – official, it should have also put forth rules for lower courts to use to determine that. It did not in this case. It simply stated that lower courts should make those fact based determinations themselves while stating that a future president is deemed presumptively immune first unless a prosecutor can prove that the president was performing a non – official act.
But this is where it gets tricky and complicated and provides a benefit to Donald Trump. If a president can merely declare he is acting officially, does that end the inquiry? That would seem to make any president judge and jury over his own actions and with no way to hold the person in the office accountable. Trump’s actions during the events of January 6th and in the days after could conceivably be seen as a president trying to perform the duties of the presidency in fighting election fraud, thus making Trump immune. But the facts of Trump’s election fraud “Big Lie” campaign clearly demonstrate that the former President was breaking the law and trying to obstruct Members of Congress from performing their constitutional duties in collecting and certifying electoral ballots.
Surely a president should not be immune from his acts in preventing the Constitution from being performed in the way it was designed. Not allowing the Constitution to proceed in the way it has been laid out or government officials to perform their own duties now makes, under the majority opinion, the president a “king above the law” with limited options to hold a president accountable. And for Donald Trump’s four criminal cases, it gives him an opening to claim that everything he did regarding the 2020 election was an official act when in reality there is good strong evidence that he was not acting in an official capacity or that he was acting in the best interests of the American people. He was trying to overturn a free and fair election that he lost. Presidential immunity should not mean one gets a free pass at ignoring the voice of the American people at the ballot box.
In a concurring opinion Justice Amy Coney Barrett actually provides a legal test that could be used to determine a president’s criminal liability for some acts taken in office. It is a two – step analysis that would see if there is a relevant federal criminal statute and if applying it would intrude on the functions of the Executive Branch. This would have been a completely acceptable legal rule yet the majority chose simply to ignore it. This is why the case is so frustrating – one Justice (and one considered a conservative vote on the bench) offered a way to hold a president accountable yet the majority decided to take steps to instead make it more difficult to hold a President accountable.
What’s next for Trump and his four criminal cases? Despite what some news sites have reported he cannot have the cases instantly dismissed. The decision says that courts now must hold hearings and determine which acts taken by Trump are official and which are non – official, a very tedious and likely lengthy prospect. Holding these hearings stretches the trial process out many months into the future what must be done before a trial can even be held. Maybe Trump might be found guilty in any one of his criminal cases but because additional hearings must be held first to determine and categorize which of his acts are official and which are not, Trump can strategically delay some if not all of his cases. And with possible appeals it is conceivable some of his cases won’t be resolved until the 2030’s. This is the immediate result of this presidential immunity case that didn’t have to be decided this way. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- SCOTUS Blog – background info and timeline of the case leading to the presidential immunity Supreme Court case.
- ABC News – article with predictions on how the ruling will impact Trump’s ongoing criminal cases.
This brief was compiled by Rod Maggay. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief, please contact rodwood@email.com.
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Guarding Young Minds: The Call for Social Media Warning Labels and Its Implications
Guarding Young Minds: The Call for Social Media Warning Labels and Its Implications
Education Policy Brief #93 | By: Inijah Quadri | July 12, 2024
Featured Photo: heroesinwaiting.org
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In an era dominated by digital platforms, social media has become a central part of daily life, not just for adults but significantly for children and youth. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are not only sources of entertainment and connection but also of substantial mental health concern. On average, children ages 8-12 in the United States spend 4-6 hours a day on screens, while teens spend up to 9 hours a day using electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. The U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek H. Murthy, has highlighted the urgent need for measures to protect younger users from the potential harms of social media use.
This concern is rooted in emerging research that suggests a correlation between extensive social media use and various mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and decreased self-esteem among children and adolescents. These platforms, designed to maximize engagement, often promote content that can be harmful to the mental well-being of young users.
Analysis
The Surgeon General’s advocacy for warning labels on social media platforms is not merely a precaution but a necessary intervention based on mounting evidence. These labels, akin to those on tobacco products, serve as a constant reminder of the potential risks associated with social media use, particularly among vulnerable youth populations. This initiative reflects an understanding that while social media offers numerous benefits, its unregulated consumption can have severe repercussions on mental health.
Research underscores the complexity of interactions between children, adolescents, and social media platforms. For instance, studies reveal that social media can alter mood states, exacerbate feelings of inadequacy through unrealistic comparisons, and lead to an increased risk of cyberbullying. The cumulative effect of these factors can be profound, contributing to emotional distress and mental health disorders.
Moreover, the recommendation for warning labels brings to light the role of algorithmic transparency in social media’s impact on youth. These algorithms, designed to maximize user engagement, often prioritize sensational or emotionally charged content, which can be particularly enticing to younger users. The proposed labels could prompt a shift toward more ethical algorithmic practices, compelling platforms to modify how content is recommended to young users to mitigate potential harm.
The Surgeon General’s role is primarily advocacy, highlighting the need for these warning labels. The implementation responsibility would likely fall on social media companies, who would be required to post these warnings. The labels could include information about the potential mental health risks of extensive social media use, such as increased anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying.
The policy push also opens up broader dialogues about the efficacy of regulatory measures in protecting young users. It questions whether warning labels are sufficient or if more robust legislative actions are necessary to enforce safer online environments. As these discussions evolve, they must consider the balance between safeguarding mental health and preserving the benefits that social media can offer in terms of connectivity and information access.
As this policy issue continues to develop, it will be crucial for ongoing research to adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape. Monitoring the effectiveness of implemented measures, such as warning labels, will be essential in determining the actual impact on social media usage patterns among children and adolescents. This analysis must be comprehensive, considering not just the direct effects of warnings, but also the broader implications for social media governance and adolescent mental health.
The Surgeon General is playing an advocacy role by bringing attention to the potential mental health risks of social media use among young people. The responsibility to act on these recommendations typically falls to entities such as lawmakers, regulatory bodies, and social media companies themselves to implement and enforce these measures. As we navigate this complex landscape, the collective effort of all stakeholders—including governments, social media companies, civil societies, and families—is crucial in shaping a safe digital environment that fosters healthy development and well-being for our younger generations.
Engagement Resources
- American Academy of Pediatrics (https://www.aap.org/): Offers guidelines and research on children’s media use and health implications.
- Child Mind Institute (https://childmind.org/): Provides resources on the psychological effects of social media on children and adolescents.
- Common Sense Media (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/): Reviews and rates media and technology for families, offering guidance on healthy media habits.
- Cyberbullying Research Center (https://cyberbullying.org/): Shares research and resources to understand and prevent cyberbullying, a significant risk associated with social media use.
- Family Online Safety Institute (https://www.fosi.org/): Advocates for a safer internet for all, focusing on empowering parents and engaging policymakers.
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The Swing States Series: #2 Michigan
The Swing States Series: #2 Michigan
Elections & Politics Policy Brief #132 | By: Abigail Hunt| June 20, 2024
Featured Photo: www.visittheusa.com
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Michigan is 10th in the nation in electoral votes. In 2022, Michigan’s youngest voting demographic, 18–29-year-olds, had the highest turnout in the country at 37 percent, according to Tufts University’s Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (C.I.R.C.L.E.). The national average was 23 percent. On the other hand, 37 percent of the state population is aged 50 or older. Currently, the 10 million strong population ranks it 10th in the nation in size.
Seventy-three percent, or 7.32 million people, of the population is white, and 1.36 million are black. Because 55 percent of blacks live in the South, that latter number doesn’t even put Michigan in the top ten – it ranks 17 in the nation in black population. Michigan’s gender divide is close – 49.8 million male and 50.5 million female. Michigan has strong youth and female populations and a large working class.
The only state in the nation with two peninsulas and five giant lakes which define it, Michigan’s origin story began March 28th, 1836, at a meeting in Washington D.C. By the signatures of U.S. Indian Commissioner Henry Schoolcraft and those of the representatives of the Odawa and Ojibway nations, Michigan tribes ceded 13.8 million acres to the U.S. government. The land was sections of the Upper and Lower Peninsulas that would become 40 percent of the state’s territory. In return, the tribes were promised things, such as permanent reservation land and perpetual access to natural resources, which never manifested. As soon as the native representatives left D.C., white men rewrote the treaty terms granting the tribes just five years of access to the land before giving the government the right to forcibly remove them.
Where are the natives who granted the area enough territory to join the nation? Interestingly, Michigan ranks 10th in the nation in overall population and in Native American population – but the difference in numbers is considerable. To rank 10th in the nation, the state has approximately 148,000 native people among the more than 10-million-strong population.
The Gross State Product (GSP) is $493.2 billion. It is in the top five states in the country for manufacturing. Auto Parts and Automobile Wholesaling are the largest industries in the state, in 2023 generating approximately $78.7 billion and $72.3 billion respectively. The next largest industry is Health & Medical Insurance, which generated $62.7 billion the same year. On a national ranking, Michigan’s GSP is 14th out of 50. The states unemployment rate is 47th in the nation. Approximately 26 percent of workers are in a union or represented by one. The minimum wage in the state increased to $10.33 in 2024.
A significant factor in manufacturing in the state is the access to and utilization of shipping via the Great Lakes. There are an estimated 6,000 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, some dating back as far as the 17th century. One such shipwreck occurred on November 10th, 1975, in Michigan, when an American Great Lakes taconite (iron ore) freighter, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, sank. It was on its way from Superior, Wisconsin to Detroit, Michigan on Lake Superior. The ship battled hurricane force winds and 35-foot waves before its demise. A crew of 29 men aboard the ship perished. The Fitz sank in Canadian waters just 16 miles from safety. The following year, a Canadian singer-songwriter, Gordon Lightfoot, wrote a song about the tragedy, and The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald entered the zeitgeist. The songwriter wrote the song to memorialize the lives lost in the tragedy when he noticed that media reports were not bothering to do so. Today, the wreck is the best-known story of shipping disasters from that area. Safety protocols were overhauled after the disaster. It is still the largest and most recent freighter wreck in the state’s history.
In July 2022, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law the Maritime and Port Facility Assistance Grant Program Act, which allows for modernization of Michigan’s 32 ports, upgrading their capabilities to handle container ships, an area of the industry that has historically been inaccessible for the state. In recent news on the East coast, the Dali container ship took out Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key bridge, killing six. Investigators have more questions than answers about the tripped breakers and mysterious blackouts (four, to be precise) that preceded the collision. A chain of reactions, in part human reaction, led to the event. Although Maryland is a far cry from Michigan, both states have active ports with large ships – there are 13 1,000-foot freighters operating still in the Great Lakes, each able to carry between 62K and 89K tons. The Dali container ship is 984 feet long.
There are approximately 360 commercial shipping ports in the U.S., according to statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard. Of these, there are about 150 “deep draft seaports,” some in the Great Lakes. The Port of Detroit is the third-largest steel-handling port in the U.S. and ranks 31 in the Top 50 Ports in the nation. The choice to invest in evolution of maritime trade harkens back to the nation’s beginnings – the 2,340-mile Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the top of the Great Lakes, on waterways that have been used for shipping since 17th century French traders floated furs on them. Coastal ports in the U.S. have garnered federal grants to the tune of $5 trillion to improve their shipping capabilities. Michigan’s investment in itself facilitates job creation and untold income potential. It is a swing unlikely to miss.
Per World Population Review, Michigan ranks 8th in number of Palestinian citizens, having just shy of 6,000. The state leader, California, has close to 26,000. With a 10 million strong population, almost 6,000 Palestinians do not make up much of the population. Michigan has the largest Middle Eastern population of any U.S. state, with more than 211,000 citizens of that ethnicity. According to Jewish Virtual Library, the state has almost 120,000 Jewish citizens, more than half of the Middle Eastern population. The war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza will certainly be a factor for many voters.
The first Presidential debate took place at the end of June. Trump, fresh out of court with felony convictions, faced off with Biden. It was …. embarrassing to watch – Biden, befuddled and appearing enfeebled, Trump, arrogantly and blatantly bullshitting his way through it. His accomplices from the 2020 election are still muddling their way through their criminal cases. A state Republican politician, James Renner, 77, faces charges from the 2020 election debacle, when he backed the wrong horse. Renner testified in court that he did not know how the election process worked. He is one of 16 Republicans across seven battleground states who have been charged with sending false certificates to Congress stating Trump won the election in their state, contrary to the actual voting results. The certificates were found to be fraudulent in past because they didn’t match the official documents with the Governor’s signature and seal. Perhaps they were bolstered in their deceptive claim by the 2016 results – at that time, the state electors were legally awarded to Trump.
The state’s February 27th primaries awarded 51 delegates to Trump and 55 overall to the Republican Party, as Nikki Haley garnered four delegates. Biden gained 115 delegates in the state and the Democratic Party won 117 overall, more than double what the GOP earned in support. With the two candidates having each won the state respectively in their previous elections, who takes the state this year is a coin toss.
Background Reading on Michigan & Engagement Resources:
- World Population Review. Palestinian Population by State. https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/palestinian-population-by-state
- University at Buffalo. Great Lakes Essential Resources: Shipwrecks. January 8th, 2024. https://research.lib.buffalo.edu/greatlakes/shipwrecks#:~:text=Crossing%20one%20of%20North%20America’s,far%20as%20the%2017th%20century.
- IBIS World. Michigan Economic Overview. https://www.ibisworld.com
- Michigan Department of State. Report: Michigan’s youth turnout in the 2022 election was best in the nation. https://www.michigan.gov/sos/resources/news/2023/04/17/report-michigans-youth-turnout-in-the-2022-election-was-best-in-the-nation
- Michilimackinac State Park Service Center. How Michigan Became a State: The Treaty of Washington, 1836. https://www.mackinacparks.com/how-michigan-became-a-state-the-treaty-of-washington-1836/#:~:text=Without%20the%201836%20Treaty%20of,American%20interests%20during%20treaty%20negotiations
- Tufts University. The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (C.I.R.C.L.E.). State-by-State Youth Voter Turnout Data and the Impact of Election Laws in 2022. https://circle.tufts.edu/latest-research/state-state-youth-voter-turnout-data-and-impact-election-laws-2022
- United States Census Bureau. Michigan’s Population Topped 10 Million in 2020. Michigan: 2020 Census. August 25, 2021. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/michigan-population-change-between-census-decade.html
- World Population Review. Native American Population by State 2024. https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/native-american-population
- Bloomberg Law. These States Have the Highest and Lowest Minimum Wages. April 15th, 2024. https://pro.bloomberglaw.com/insights/labor-employment/these-states-have-the-highest-and-lowest-minimum-wages/
- U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. News Release. January 23, 2024. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/union2.pdf
- G. Guest. University of Michigan. Michigan maritime: Ports set to grow economy throughout the state. December 21, 2022. https://news.umich.edu/michigan-maritime-ports-set-to-grow-economy-throughout-the-state/
- U.S. Department of Transportation. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. May 9, 2024. http://www.seaway.dot.gov/about/great-lakes-st-lawrence-seaway-system
- Princeton University. The Pacific Ocean – Maritime Shipping Routes. Mapping Globalization. https://commons.princeton.edu/mg/the-pacific-ocean-maritime-shipping-routes/
- American Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. Jewish Virtual Library. https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jewish-population-in-the-united-states-by-state
- C. Williams, J. Cappelletti. Republican Michigan elector testifies he never intended to make false public record. Associated Press. Feb 14, 2024. https://apnews.com/article/michigan-trump-fake-electors-37043f943d888bd14a667b599e3f84d1
This is the second article in a series of articles about U.S Swing States, for the first edition please click here.
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