Government
Public services and government action
Rep Felix and community housing advocates champion 'Eviction Moratorium Clinics' for BIPOC communities
"We know that there are barriers when it comes to language, we know that there's digital divides," said Representative Felix. "We hope that by putting this clinic together we can really bridge those divides and get community members the help that they need."
Advocates rally, stage 'die-in' for dedicated narcan funding stream
"We're not asking for much right now - for a sustainable funding source for narcan," said Sarah Edwards, who manages a statewide outreach team that specializes in overdose prevention. "That's really the bare minimum the state can do right now…"
You can submit your written comments on police body-worn cameras now...
Written comments from the public will be received by the Attorney General and the State police until September 24, 2021. The final decisions about the use of police worn body cameras in Rhode Island will be made entirely by law enforcement - the Attorney General, the Rhode Island State Police and Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association - with the public only being allowed to comment.
Teach the Truth rally in North Kingstown
"This is really connected to electoral politics. There's this massive wave of voter suppression, and an educated electorate is an equipped electorate. And you can't create an educated electorate if you're barred from talking about the truths of history."
House Commission on shoreline access holds first meeting
Shoreline access is a hotly contested issue in many communities, where wealthy beachfront landowners post deceiving signs restricting access or erect barriers to rights of way in an attempt to maintain private access to beaches.
BLM RI PAC rallies against LEOBoR in the wake of police videos showing violent arrests
"A lot of folks will say that repealing LEOBoR is radical," said State Senator Tiara Mack. "There is nothing radical about centering the needs and demands and requests from Black and brown communities. There is nothing radical about holding government officials and government agencies accountable."
Moms Demand condemns PVD police violence, calls for legislative action on police conduct
“Law enforcement are charged with de-escalating violent situations, but in this instance, they have shirked that duty,” said Christine Bandoni, a volunteer with the Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Beating and spitting at children during an arrest is unacceptable and deeply disturbing behavior that fractures community trust in police and inhibits public safety in our state. These officers must be held accountable, and our lawmakers must act to change state laws that prevent accountability.”
Providence releases Body Worn Camera video from July 9 King Street arrests
In the difficult to watch videos, the alleged driver of the vehicle is dragged from the car, handcuffed and beaten... The juvenile is punched in the head repeatedly and his neck is contorted violently, while being restrained by multiple officers.
Judge dismisses all charges in 2017 Cranston panhandling case
"I hope that this outcome – and the monetary cost associated with it – dissuades other municipalities from enacting measures like this one, which are cruel, short-sighted, and based on stereotypes and political rhetoric, not facts," said Megan Smith, a social worker with the House of Hope CDC. "Instead of trying to criminalize those who are very poor, we should be focused on creating affordable housing and building diverse and inclusive communities."
The next battle in Rhode Island: Redistricting
"The choice of choosing the people on the redistricting committee is a clear power grab and move to keep diverse voices out of the next decade of decisions," said Senator Mack. "The senate’s presidents decision to not include the only Black woman in the senator nor any of the three openly queer members of chambers reflects a lack of [commitment] to honoring the increased diversity of the chamber in the last election cycle."