“This is just the start. This is a marathon. This is not a sprint. Let’s pace ourselves. Let’s continue to progress. This is one step closer to our ultimate goal, for our next generation to feel comfortable in their own skin and be proud of who they are, with no judgement.“

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The Warren Town Council and activist Dyshell Palmer raised a Black Lives Matter flag at Warren Town Hall on Friday morning, with nearly 100 people in attendance.

“The decision to acknowledge this movement came from a lengthy public process,” said Keri Cronin, Warren Town Council President. “A member of our community, Camille Nixon reached out and asked if this was something we could do. I reached out to the council to see if there was a willingness to have the discussion, and there was. We received a number of emails both in support and in opposition o making this statement for the town… everybody had the opportunity for their voices to be heard and… after an unanimous decision by the council who were in attendance, the decision was made to raise this flag.”

Speaking at the event was Warren resident Dyshell Palmer, who weeks earlier had led a Black Lives Matter march in Bristol Rhode Island.

“Let’s continue this movement,”‘ said Palmer. “There’s so much behind the scenes that nobody knows about, all the work that needs to be done. This is just the start. This is a marathon. This is not a sprint. Let’s pace ourselves. Let’s continue to progress. This is one step closer to our ultimate goal, for our next generation to feel comfortable in their own skin and be proud of who they are, with no judgement.”

There are two flagpoles outside the Warren Town Hall. One flies the United State flag and the POW flag. The other is the State Flag of Rhode Island, and the Black Lives Matter Flag was raised beneath it. Palmer and Cronin raised the flag together.

You can watch the Warren Town Council where it was decided to raise the Black Lives Matter flag here:

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