Government
Public services and government action
Unhoused, Michael holds a solitary vigil outside the RI State House
"Just last week we had five tents in a row, all slashed up," said Michael. "Everything tossed into the river..."
Educators, advocates and students say 'No' to SROs in and out of House Finance hearing
"We know that SROs can serve many functions in schools, including enforcement and discipline," said Clausius-Parks from RI Kids Count. "We also know that student arrests and juvenile detention increases a student's likelihood of future arrests, decrease their likelihood of completing high school and may result in long lasting consequences including restricted eligibility for federal grants, student loans and barriers to college enrollment and future employment."
A vigil for Charlene Liberty in the ongoing fight for change
“She was someone who cared about life and goals, and when she went into the prison she became more worried about dying. She felt hopeless and just wanted to kill herself. It’s horrific and cruel what they did to her in there; the people who did this need to be held accountable.”
Students speak out against gun violence at March for Our Lives Rally
"What's stopping me from being the next fatality on a list of those lost to the readily armed rage and hate that America has created?" asked Eliza Adler, a student at North Kingstown High School.
Woonsocket elected officials threaten to violate 1st Amendment rights if Pride organizers criticize them
"...the first one was billed as a 'celebration' that was approved by the council seven to nothing and it turned into an attack on the city council, the mayor, etc," said Councilmember Cournoyer. "If the individual requesting [this resolution] behaves the way he has the last couple times, if I'm on here again it will be the last time..."
Activists rally at RI State House to end mass criminalization
"A small amount of [prison] time can change your life," said Trent Manning, and organizer with Behind the Walls. "They're holding individuals for two weeks, ten days, two months, six months… and when you come home, there is a list of charges attached to your name until the day you die."
Rhode Island is facing a mental health crisis and the General Assembly needs to act, say workers
"There should be no difference between how we rose to meet the demands for the physical health of people and how we rise to meet the needs of their mental health."
Officer "John Doe" needs to reveal identity to sue the state say advocacy groups
Representing the Black Lives Matter RI PAC (BLM RI PAC), the community advocacy group Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE), and the ACLU of Rhode Island, ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorneys today filed a motion in Rhode Island Superior Court challenging a former state trooper’s attempt to proceed anonymously in suing the State Police after he was fired for allegedly not reporting to work one day because he was too intoxicated.
Pawtucket High School students walk out to protest legislative inaction on guns and abortion rights
"We're here in response to the failures of our government - how they failed those babies in Texas and how they failed to protect abortion rights, and how they failed to protect all of our peers," said walkout organizer Zachary Pinto.
State House rally calls for action on gun violence in Rhode Island
"Ten years! It's been ten years. That is long enough," said Jennifer Boylan from Moms Demand Action. "No more studying, it is time to vote on all five gun bills. All the bills."