Government
Public services and government action
Providence Police under fire for violent arrest caught on video
"Given the actions of these high-ranking officers, BLM RI PAC again calls for the full repeal of the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights and for Captain Gencarella and Lt. Jennette to be placed on administrative leave pending this investigation."
Governor McKee signs executive order protecting Rhode Islanders who provide abortion from out-of-state legal liability
“The executive order I signed today ensures that Rhode Island will continue to stand up for reproductive health care, especially in response to the shameful United States Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.”
Two recent, violent incidents involving police highlight the need to repeal LEOBoR in RI say advocates
Recent high profile incidents of apparent police violence, and the fact that officials in both Newport and Providence are restricted in what actions they can take and even in what they are allowed to publicly say, have renewed calls for the repeal of the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights...
The Womxn Project pushes Governor and Speaker on EACA
"We formally asked him not to sign the budget until the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act is passed," said Womxn Project boardmember Emma Gauthier to Uprise RI, right after speaking to the Governor. "We also asked him to sign an executive order that protects people seeking abortion..."
The Womxn Project responds to Friday night's rally
"Jennifer Rourke shared with the crowd last night that, as a mixed-race Black woman married to a white man with interracial children, she knows that this SCOTUS decision will compromise the safety of her right to continue to love her husband. Now that Roe and Casey have been overturned, politicians across the country are openly discussing attacking interracial marriage and gay marriage. Jennifer discussed the anger she felt at thinking her children may not be able to love who they want to love, regardless of race or gender."
1500+ people rally at Rhode Island State House against Supreme Court abortion reversal
"... it is not enough just to speak out and show up for abortion rights and reproductive health information and care. Abortion access is one of several fundamental rights under attack in the U.S., including our right to vote, racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and a host of other rights intertwined with our right to liberty in which Roe v. Wade was grounded, such as contraception and marriage equality. This fight is so much more than abortion – though it is also about being unequivocally in support of abortion when anyone wants care."
"We are outraged, and we are horrified," says RI Coalition for Reproductive Freedom in response to Roe reversal
"It's every bit as bad as you think it is and more," said Lynette Labinger, ACLU of Rhode Island Cooperating Attorney. "Because remember, the right that we're talking about is not a right to an abortion, but a right to make your own decisions."
Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade: Local Reactions
"Let’s be clear that this ruling is truly catastrophic, but the work and the fight iis not over. It will never be over. We will keep speaking up and showing up to ensure we control our bodies, our families and our futures - that we can all live healthy lives with dignity. We don’t depend on courts and politicians. We depend on each other!"
21 members of the House implored Speaker Shekarchi to bring the EACA to a vote - to no avail
"We, the undersigned, urge you to move the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act out of the House Finance Committee for a vote during this legislative session. This bill would make the right to abortion real for all who need it across the state. In passing this bill, Rhode Island would join 16 other states, including four other New England states, in assuring abortion access..."
Councilmember Cournoyer strikes back at Woonsocket Pride organizers and speakers
"My comments here are not directed to Mr. Kithes or Miss Nwando Ofakansi and these others," said Woonsocket City Councilmember James Cournoyer. "It's directed at the people that they're talking to. Don't buy it. Are there problems sometimes? Absolutely. If there's issues that need to be addressed, bring 'em forward. We'll deal with it. But don't buy the rhetoric, please. It's disgusting. Thank you."