Government
Public services and government action
Rep Felix introduces bill to end cash bail to eliminate racist, anti-poor judiciary policy
"...ending cash bail is not what causes risk to the public," said DARE's Anusha Alles. "What is hazardous to the public is the relentless war on poor people, the relentless financial hardship that people are going through."
ACLU Director Steve Brown details history of prostitution laws in Rhode Island
"...the RI ACLU believes the General Assembly made a terrible mistake in 2009 in passing this harsh law. All it has done is once again make criminals out of people engaging in consensual sexual activity and put sex workers in more, not less danger."
After student assaulted by Student Resource Officer, youth-led community groups call for an end to police in schools
"Countless other students have also been brutalized by SROs. We know that police in schools only bring violence and will never bring safety to Rhode Island’s youth. We demand that all SROs are removed from all schools immediately."
Providence Mayor announces new framework for racial reparations
"Here in Providence, we are leading the way on undertaking this difficult - but critical - work to acknowledge and address racial injustice that impacts our community," said Mayor Elorza.
Advocates gear up for battle to provide all Rhode Islanders with a form of Medicare
On Wednesday, March 9, at 7pm, Providence DSA and PNHP RI will partner with the Olneyville Neighborhood Association to hold a bilingual Community Discussion about Medicare for All (Discusión Comunitario sobre Medicare para Todos) at the Olneyville Library, 1 Olneyville Square, in Providence. More information on this upcoming community discussion can be found here.
Criminal defense association: Comments by mayor and police commissioner a direct attack on the Constitution
"Executive leaders, especially those with a background in the law like Mayor Elorza, should refrain from attacking the Constitution, especially when they are acting on emotion and not fact," writes the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Education Commissioner and Governor defend cops in schools despite ongoing violence
"I am certainly pleased overall with what the SROs have been able to do in the schools in Providence and around the state of Rhode," said Governor Daniel McKee.
Community groups repeat call to remove cops from schools
“Community investment and involvement is a long term preventative practice that supports the emotional, social, and mental needs of students. Cops in our schools traumatize and trigger our youth in Providence, who are primarily Black and brown- cops do not belong in our school hallways. What our schools need are more supportive adults, without the gun, without the uniform. Adults we can depend on to have the right intentions of restoring community when harm arises.”
Following recent violence, community groups call for immediate removal of all police from schools
"We must remember that this is not an isolated incident, but rather placed within a broader pattern and system of state violence that targets and endangers our students of color. This is not just about Jay-Juan, but about all young people that have experienced violence – filmed or not – at the hands of police and school resource officers."
Dozens testify to ban sex between law enforcement and those in their custody
"In Rhode Island, as we stand today, it is still legal for law enforcement to sexually assault people who have been arrested, detained or in their custody," said Representative Henries. "That also includes people who oversee probation as well as parolees... In power dynamics such as this, with law enforcement and authority, there is no such thing as consent. Permission is compromised in the face of authority."