Civil Rights

John Beauregard: I will make a motion to recall the vote on the Nike Resolution

A press release from North Smithfield Town Council President John Beauregard: “At the North Smithfield Town Council meeting this past Monday I proposed a resolution only ‘requesting’ Town departments refrain from doing business with Nike. I was a State Trooper for twenty-five years. This gives me a perspective that is unique from the general population. I did not expect that

Rhode Island News: John Beauregard: I will make a motion to recall the vote on the Nike Resolution

September 19, 2018, 1:34 pm

By Uprise RI Staff

A press release from North Smithfield Town Council President John Beauregard:

“At the North Smithfield Town Council meeting this past Monday I proposed a resolution only ‘requesting’ Town departments refrain from doing business with Nike. I was a State Trooper for twenty-five years. This gives me a perspective that is unique from the general population. I did not expect that my attempt to make a simple non binding request to show a sign of respect for the men and women in law enforcement, especially those who have sacrificed their lives for our safety would be so grossly and incorrectly distorted and misrepresented. All anyone had to do to understand my position is take the time and watch the video of the council meeting. This resolution had nothing to do with race; it was about those who truly believed in something and sacrificed everything.

I called for a special meeting of the North Smithfield Town Council for Monday September 24th. At that meeting I will make a motion to recall the vote on the Nike Resolution. I am not doing this because my views on this subject have changed. I still feel as strongly about subject today as I did last Monday. I am only doing this because of the backlash to my town, the businesses in my Town, the schools and all the residents. I don’t want to drag anyone into my fight that did not chose to be in it.

The sheer hatred displayed in e-mails and on social media by many of those against this resolution gives me great concern for our future. If certain groups disagree with you they will begin a campaign of lies and character assassination regardless of the truth. This was not the case for everyone that disagreed with me and sent me messages and I appreciate their views and they way they expressed them. I also appreciate all the letters of support I received and I hope my doing this does not let them down.

This is not the first time I changed a vote I made and I am sure it will not be the last.

Respectfully,

John A. Beauregard
North Smithfield Council President


See: North Smithfield Town Council passes resolution against Nike products and Colin Kaepernick