Civil Rights

RI Rep Chippendale replies to criticism of his Emma Gonzalez tweet

Though he has been publicly silent amid bipartisan calls to apologize for calling Parkland shooting survivor Emma Gonzalez a “dummy” on Twitter yesterday, State Representative Mike Chippendale (Republican, District 40, Coventry, Foster Glocester) did respond to criticism, once more on social media, in a private Facebook group called Foster Town Council News. In his response to criticism from several constituents,

Rhode Island News: RI Rep Chippendale replies to criticism of his Emma Gonzalez tweet

April 24, 2018, 12:52 pm

By Steve Ahlquist

Though he has been publicly silent amid bipartisan calls to apologize for calling Parkland shooting survivor Emma Gonzalez a “dummy” on Twitter yesterday, State Representative Mike Chippendale (Republican, District 40, Coventry, Foster Glocester) did respond to criticism, once more on social media, in a private Facebook group called Foster Town Council News.

In his response to criticism from several constituents, Chippendale characterized his tweet as “blunt, edgy and playful.” He also said that Emma Gonzalez, who rose to prominence as a gun sense advocate following the horrific shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as a “high-profile public personality who is 19 years old – not a child.”

Chippendale has an A rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA).

Both Governor Gina Raimondo and Republican candidate for Governor Allan Fung have called on Chippendale to apologize for his tweet. Chippendale is the Fung campaign Foster, Rhode Island chair.


Uprise RI is entirely supported by donations and advertising. Every little bit helps:

Become a Patron!