The Standard’s news roundup gives you a quick hit of interesting, sometimes irreverent, and breaking news stories from all over the state.
The Texas African American History Memorial was unveiled on the State Capitol Grounds Saturday. It honors the contributions African Americans have made to the state since the 1500s.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner helped with fundraising efforts for the 27-foot-high, 32-foot-wide, bronze monument.
He addressed a crowd of hundreds and described what the memorial means to him.
“I am not the mayor of the City of Houston – the fourth largest city – because I am so smart and because I am so gifted. I am the mayor of the city of Houston because the folks that are on that monument paid the price that enabled me to be where I am today,” he said. “I give credit to every single one named and unnamed that’s on that monument that says together we can get where we are.”
But as the statue was unveiled, chants of “white lives matter” could be heard in the background.
About a dozen white nationalists showed up for a protest that had been planned the same day –
something they claimed was a coincidence.
Also – if you’ve heard the term “White Nationalist” in the news a lot lately – it’s someone who believes citizenship and its benefits should be based on race, and in this case that means being white.
There was also a much larger counter-protest that outnumbered the white nationalists.
Opponents of the Trans Pecos-Pipeline gathered outside of Marfa Sunday to protest at a construction site.
The thump of drums mingled with the sounds of heavy machinery.
Demonstrators were taking a stand against Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, which is building the natural gas line in the Big Bend Region.
That’s the same company behind the Dakota Access oil pipeline in North Dakota, which has seen much larger and sustained protests.
Frankie Orona told Marfa Public Radio the actions in North Dakota are inspiring West Texas protestors. He’s the head of the San Antonio-based Society of Native Nations.
“I think it’s gonna happen. I think it’s inevitable,” he says. “I think there’s gonna be a camp just like Cannonball – whether it’s that big or not I don’t know. But the people are starting to rise up and say ‘enough is enough.’”
Orona says he told West Texas authorities to expect more protests.
Presidio County Sheriff Danny Dominguez was also on the scene – but had no comment.
U.S. District Judge John Primomo had a message for new Americans during a citizenship ceremony in San Antonio late last week.
San Antonio TV station, KENS5 shared his comments about President-Elect Donald Trump.
“If you are a citizen of the United States he is your president, and he will be your president, and if you do not like that you need to go to another country.”
Judge Primomo later told KENS5 the comments weren’t meant to be political but a show of respect for the office of the President.
He added that he didn’t vote for Donald Trump.
