Culture & Community
Arts, culture, and community
BLM RI opens African American Innovation Center in Pawtucket
"Black people - We are resistant," said Brother Gary Dantzler, executive director of BLM RI. "We fight through anything. Adversity. We're strong, independent. We're starting to get more and more unified..."
Youth led Village Vigil in Woonsocket urges peace, pleads for help
"Today's vigil is to spread peace," continued Thiam. "There's been so many protests, so many riots - but today I hope that we spread love, spread peace. We're here for each other… We're going to continue to fight. We're going to continue to support each other. We're going to continue to show out love, show up for out people, our community, our family…"
Warren protests against white supremacy stickers posted in their community
"We're going to take it seriously because we know it's not kids and we know it's not boys being boys, and that racism is a pandemic, just as much as COVID-19 is," said Warren resident Mel Bynum to reporters, who organized the event alongside Dyshell Palmer.
A walk to kick off Black Maternal Health Week and the doula bill
"This doula bill is about reproductive justice, it's about racial justice, and it's about economic justice," said Representative Ranglin-Vassell.
1000 Paper Cranes Project: Asian Visibility rally and vigil at the State House
"Our project, the 1000 paper crane project, is an art piece celebrating solidarity and community. In Japanese lore, the folder of one thousand Origami cranes was granted a wish by the gods," wrote Christne Peterson who co-organized the event. "We cannot wish racism away, but we can set a goal to end it. Each crane was folded by a member of the AAPI community or one of our allies. Each was folded with love. We now have over 1000 paper cranes."
Youth organize a Stop Asian Hate March in South Kingstown
"We are brought here today to mourn the senseless murders of six Asian women who died at the hands of white supremacy and the countless crimes that affect Asian lives daily," said youth organizer Dexter Keegan to a crowd of about 35 people. "White supremacy does not exist in a vacuum. It was invented by white European men and imported into our county and numerous others. This is a white problem in our majority white town. We should be working to dismantle it..."
RI Senate marks International Transgender Day of Visibility with resolution and poetry
"Before I start, I would just like to let folks know, who hold a lot of power in Rhode Island that trans empowerment cannot only come in words, but also has to come in action," said Gaines. Ze then performed two poems that left the members of the Senate literally stunned silent for around fifteen seconds. It was brilliant, confrontational and beautiful.
"Call it what it is, a hate crime. Stop anti-Asian violence. Stop China bashing," say activists in Providence
"The alarming rise of white supremacy and fascism cannot be overstated. Nearly three out of every four mass shootings can be linked back to right-wing extremism. Contrary to the misleading trope of Asian-Black conflict, community organizers have rejected this attempt to divide Black and Asian communities. We understand that the inextricable link between white supremacy, patriarchy, racism and the war drive is the root cause of this violent atrocity."
Commemorative Works Committee recommends permanent removal of Columbus statue
"The Bertholdi Columbus statue was gifted to Providence in 1893 and has become the subject of a great amount of controversy as the actions and legacy of the historical Columbus have been re-evaluated."
Barrington and Black Lives Matter rally to support Candace Breen
"I will not be quiet when confronted with irrational beliefs, such as how my Black Lives Matter flag on my lawn needs to be taken down because it offends someone," said Candace Breen. "The fact that my life matters is not offensive. The belief that my life matters is not offensive, unless you believe my life doesn't matter."