“Collecting rent during a pandemic is extortion,” said a protester. “Eviction during a pandemic is genocide. Knock it off!“

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Police arrested two people at the Garrahy Judicial Complex this morning in Providence. One of those arrested was school teacher Nika Salazar, the other was a 15-year old child.

The arrests were made as protesters representing several groups rallied and blocked the doors of the complex to protest the ongoing and escalating eviction crisis in Rhode Island.

Will James of Uprise RI was on hand with a live feed of the action.

“Collecting rent during a pandemic is extortion,” said a protester. “Eviction during a pandemic is genocide. Knock it off!”

More police officers arrived after a few minutes and six of them grappled the 15-year old and took him inside the complex. Simultaneously Nika Salazar was placed under arrest and marched to a police car.

“I am a public school teacher who is just trying to fight for people’s rights,” said Salazar as the police took her away. Salazar has also been a strong voice for safety and equity in schools during the pandemic.

Immediately after the action a call was put out on social media for people to call and demand the release of those arrested.

Providence PD arrested 2 DSAers today at an anti-eviction protest. Please call the jail and demand that the two people arrested at the district court be released !

401-272-3121 ext 8

Also call the district courthouse at 401-458-5400 to get the DSAer still held inside released.

— Samy Amkieh (@Ummkie) August 14, 2020

The Aspen Institute estimates that 44,000-62,000 Rhode Island households, meaning 100,000-142,000 individual Rhode Islanders, “could be at risk of eviction in the next several months.” That’s between 28% and 42% of Rhode Island’s population. And nationwide, the numbers are similar.

Here’s the full livestream: