Government
Public services and government action
21 members of the House implored Speaker Shekarchi to bring the EACA to a vote - to no avail
"We, the undersigned, urge you to move the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act out of the House Finance Committee for a vote during this legislative session. This bill would make the right to abortion real for all who need it across the state. In passing this bill, Rhode Island would join 16 other states, including four other New England states, in assuring abortion access..."
Councilmember Cournoyer strikes back at Woonsocket Pride organizers and speakers
"My comments here are not directed to Mr. Kithes or Miss Nwando Ofakansi and these others," said Woonsocket City Councilmember James Cournoyer. "It's directed at the people that they're talking to. Don't buy it. Are there problems sometimes? Absolutely. If there's issues that need to be addressed, bring 'em forward. We'll deal with it. But don't buy the rhetoric, please. It's disgusting. Thank you."
Unhoused, Michael holds a solitary vigil outside the RI State House
"Just last week we had five tents in a row, all slashed up," said Michael. "Everything tossed into the river..."
Educators, advocates and students say 'No' to SROs in and out of House Finance hearing
"We know that SROs can serve many functions in schools, including enforcement and discipline," said Clausius-Parks from RI Kids Count. "We also know that student arrests and juvenile detention increases a student's likelihood of future arrests, decrease their likelihood of completing high school and may result in long lasting consequences including restricted eligibility for federal grants, student loans and barriers to college enrollment and future employment."
A vigil for Charlene Liberty in the ongoing fight for change
“She was someone who cared about life and goals, and when she went into the prison she became more worried about dying. She felt hopeless and just wanted to kill herself. It’s horrific and cruel what they did to her in there; the people who did this need to be held accountable.”
Students speak out against gun violence at March for Our Lives Rally
"What's stopping me from being the next fatality on a list of those lost to the readily armed rage and hate that America has created?" asked Eliza Adler, a student at North Kingstown High School.
Woonsocket elected officials threaten to violate 1st Amendment rights if Pride organizers criticize them
"...the first one was billed as a 'celebration' that was approved by the council seven to nothing and it turned into an attack on the city council, the mayor, etc," said Councilmember Cournoyer. "If the individual requesting [this resolution] behaves the way he has the last couple times, if I'm on here again it will be the last time..."
Activists rally at RI State House to end mass criminalization
"A small amount of [prison] time can change your life," said Trent Manning, and organizer with Behind the Walls. "They're holding individuals for two weeks, ten days, two months, six months… and when you come home, there is a list of charges attached to your name until the day you die."
Rhode Island is facing a mental health crisis and the General Assembly needs to act, say workers
"There should be no difference between how we rose to meet the demands for the physical health of people and how we rise to meet the needs of their mental health."
Officer "John Doe" needs to reveal identity to sue the state say advocacy groups
Representing the Black Lives Matter RI PAC (BLM RI PAC), the community advocacy group Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE), and the ACLU of Rhode Island, ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorneys today filed a motion in Rhode Island Superior Court challenging a former state trooper’s attempt to proceed anonymously in suing the State Police after he was fired for allegedly not reporting to work one day because he was too intoxicated.