Government
Public services and government action
Family of Jhamal Gonsalves responds to police body cam footage
"There are eyewitnesses. You heard one of them on the body cam. He saw exactly what happened… He didn't have the video in frame [but] he saw it and that's evidence as well. It doesn't have to be caught on video for it to actually have ha...
Providence releases police body cam footage from Jhamal Gonsalves incident
"You guys should have respect for him," said an on scene witness, who then clearly stated that he saw the police cruiser hit the moped "from the back." Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, Public Safety Commissioner Steven Paré and Police Chie...
Police in riot gear prevent Federal Hill restaurant patrons from viewing peaceful protesters
"Why can't we take the street? We're protesting. It's our right," asked the woman on the megaphone, prompting the protesters to begin chanting, "First amendment!" at the police officers. Protesters once again took to the streets of Provi...
National ACLU calls for decriminalization of sex work; cites Rhode Island’s experience
“Rhode Island’s decision to recriminalize indoor prostitution a decade ago was an unfortunate one," said ACLU of Rhode Island executive director Steven Brown. "Rather than helping women, it has only channeled more of them into the crimin...
PERA begins review of Jhamal Gonsalves case, wants bigger role
People who witnessed police violence at Tuesday night's #JusticeForJhamal protest addressed the board. "My question, that I sincerely hope you will ask the police chief, is why did they show up in riot gear in the first place? Because I'...
Police clash with protesters at PVD/Cranston border
Police officers were not targeting bad actors, they were targeting anyone in sight, whether they be peaceful protester, bystander, biker, media, legal observer or medic. [Update: Media is reporting at least seven arrests. See here, here...
Providence releases new video in Jhamal Gonsalves investigation, comments on previous night's protest
"We've not had any video that shows the point of contact, the collision… the shot that you'll see, there's some foliage that just blocks where the collision would occur." The City of Providence today released two new videos of the Jhamal...
Providence Human Relations Commission releases statement on police misconduct
Anti-Racism Committee Denounces the Illegal and Oppressive Tactics of the Providence Police Department The Providence Human Relations Commission Anti-Racism Committee released a statement today on the incident that led to Jhamal Gonsalve...
After peaceful Justice for Jhamal rally, protesters clash with police in Providence
"We're here to be Jhamal's voice in all of this," said Bernard Tribble, Jhamal Gonsalves' stepfather to Uprise RI. "We hope that people can come together peacefully and stop this brutality by the police. We don't want young men getting h...
PVD city officials hold press conference about police cruiser-moped impact
Policing these vehicles, said Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements, "is a significant challenge with no magic solution." "I want everyone to know that we are fully committed to having a transparent and complete investigation," said Prov...