Culture & Community
Arts, culture, and community
Prayer vigil held to oppose Governor McKee's encampment eviction order
The prayer vigil was gathered in response to the announcement from Governor Daniel McKee that he was giving the unhoused people camping on the State House grounds 48 hours to vacate or risk the possibility of arrest and/or fines.
Advocates for the homeless protest Governor McKee during Christmas tree lighting
For the second year in a row Governor Daniel McKee failed to act on the expanding crisis of homelessness, leaving hundreds of Rhode Islanders, including children, to live without shelter. With better and more compassionate planning, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee may have avoided having his State House Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting interrupted by angry activists and unhoused people.
Recreational cannabis on sale in Rhode Island
RISE Warwick, formally known as Summit Medical Compassion Center, is one of only five dispensaries in Rhode Island, and opened its doors to recreational cannabis sales at 6am. The state is expecting to generate $41 million in revenue from cannabis sales over the first seven months of legalized sales, though border-town Attleboro, MA's long head start and resulting customer loyalty may make those figures harder to attain.
Vigil held in Providence for Colorado night club shootings
Haus of Codec and over two dozen other organizations held a vigil on Wednesday evening to hold space and honor the five members of the queer community killed at the Club Q night club in Colorado Springs, Colorado on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance.
RI Community Food Bank reports food need has tripled over last two years
State leaders maintain that the economy is improving, yet more Rhode Islanders than ever can't afford adequate food. "For all households in Rhode Island, food insecurity is three times what it was before the pandemic...for many workers, their wages can't keep up with the high cost of living," said CEO Schiff.
Trans Day of Joy Celebrated in South Kingston
The outdoor event, organized by LGBTQ Action RI, featured speakers, information about local organizations, available resources for individuals and families, and actions to take in support of transgender equality in the state.
A memorial for those who died while homeless has more names than ever
The Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness held a memorial at Matthewson Street United Methodist Church on Wednesday to remember "our friends, family and loves who passed away while experiencing homelessness in 2021."
Mathewson St. Church helping the unhoused apply for free RIPTA bus passes
RIPTA was invited by the Rhode Island Housing Justice organizing Committee because one of the great obstacles unhoused people face in getting to Mathewson on Sunday mornings, or anywhere else in the state where services are provided on other days, is the cost of bus service.
LUNA Community Care to provide services to neurodivergent and disabled adults
"Our vision as an organization is to improve the quality of life for neurodivergent adults and to promote a shift in the culture, attitudes and acceptance of neurodivergent and disabled individuals in the community"
Trans community protests hate group meeting at Cranston Library
Around 250 members of the transgender community, alongside allies, families and neighbors, gathered to show love and support for the transgender community at the William H Hall Branch of the Cranston Public Library Monday evening.