by Abigail Appel | Jun 18, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) proposed two resolutions around important issues to the community regarding race and the power of words on our community.
The first resolution, co-sponsored by Councilmen Goncalves (Ward 1), Correia (Ward 6), Igliozzi (Ward 7) and Councilwomen Miller (Ward 13) and Ryan (Ward 5), calls on the Rhode Island General Assembly to revisit the 2009 referendum to remove “Providence Plantations” from the State of Rhode Island’s official name.
“A lot has changed since 2009. Our Nation has had to mourn the loss of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and too many more black souls at the hands of police brutality and racially motivated violence,” stated Council President Sabina Matos.
Throughout the Nation, many states have acted by removing Confederate statues and memorials from their public spaces. While the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was not named this way in direct connection to slavery, the use of the word ‘plantation’ is insensitive to our Nation’s dark history of slavery.
“By changing Rhode Island’s official name, we are not forgetting our history; we are simply removing something that no longer represents the values and morals that our State should embody. The history is still there; we will never forget our role in the slavery and racist institutions that have plagued our country for so long. But it is time for us to make a change and move forward, with a name that better represents who we would like to be,” added Council President Matos.
“Without acknowledging and learning from our past, and without addressing those things within our control, we cannot move forward as a City or a Nation towards a more equitable and just future,” continued Council President Matos.
The second resolution urges Governor Gina Raimondo and the Rhode Island General Assembly to enact legislation authorizing the Rhode Island Department of Education to include African Heritage History in the K-12 curriculum in the 2021-2022 school years. In July of 2014, the 1696 Historical Commission was signed into law and formed in order to form a comprehensive African Heritage History curriculum for K-12 public school students.
Council President Matos continued, “African and African American heritage is inextricably woven with our State’s history and identity. Black Rhode Islanders have made innumerable contributions to our community despite facing unique suffering and hardship. It would be extremely beneficial for all Rhode Island students to have access to this rich history,”
The 1696 Commission created a curriculum with units covering the many eras of black history in Rhode Island from 1696 to current times. The goal of this curriculum is to not only design and implement an African and African American history curriculum, but also to equip teachers to work with an increasingly diverse student body, fully integrate the teaching of African American history into the curriculum on a year-round basis and to establish this curriculum as a necessary and long term part of the Rhode Island Department of Education’s curriculum.
by Abigail Appel | Jun 18, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilman David A. Salvatore (Ward 14) will put forth two resolutions regarding police reform in light of tragic events that have taken place across the nation.
The first resolution requests that the Providence Retirement Board review the rules and regulations surrounding police officer pensions, and specifically how the City of Providence handles pension benefits for police officers who have been disciplined for the use of excessive force.
“It is not right for any officer who has been disciplined for the use of excessive force to continue receiving compensation or pension benefits,” stated Councilman David Salvatore. “I am asking the Retirement Board to review this process and make recommendations to the City Council, as I believe it is a critical step towards rebuilding trust between residents and their local law enforcement in our City.”
The second resolution urges the Rhode Island General Assembly to enact legislation imposing a duty to intervene on all Rhode Island law enforcement officers who witness misconduct by a fellow officer.
“Three additional police officers watched as George Floyd was killed by another officer. This behavior is unacceptable. In the State of Rhode Island, we must demand that our police officers stand by their oath to serve and protect our citizens, and an important part of this is intervening when a fellow officer is behaving inappropriately. This could have saved the lives of Mr. Floyd and others,” added Councilman Salvatore.
Both of these resolutions have been co-sponsored by Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2) and Councilwoman Rachel Miller (Ward 13). Additionally, the second resolution is also co-sponsored by Councilman John Igliozzi (Ward 7).
by Abigail Appel | Jun 13, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-8
Yesterday, I had a protective box placed over the Columbus Statue in Columbus Square in the Elmwood Neighborhood. My reason for doing so was to protect the statue from the upcoming construction that is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks. Upgrades will include new lighting in the park as well as other infrastructure upgrades.
As you may have learned, the protective box was vandalized late last night, but the Columbus statue remains intact. This statue has been vandalized in the past, and I have been steadfast in my support that it should remain in the neighborhood until residents are able to decide on the future of the statue. The City has formed a Special Committee on Commemorative Works which will be overseen by Providence’s Arts, Culture + Tourism Department in conjunction with the City Archivist, and I will be urging them and the Providence Parks Commission to address the community’s concerns around the Columbus Statue. I will also ensure that residents of the Elmwood neighborhood can be heard, and express what they believe should happen in their neighborhood.
The statue was a gift by the Gorham Manufacturing Company to the residents of the Elmwood neighborhood. Where many of the factory workers once lived and stands as a reminder to the residents of our past bustling manufacturing history.
The statue will remain protected in Columbus Square until all construction is completed.
James E. Taylor
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 8
by Abigail Appel | Jun 5, 2020 | Council News, COVID-19, Press Release, Ward-10
Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) introduced a resolution at tonight’s City Council meeting urging the State of Rhode Island to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to any individual who tests positive for COVID-19. Additionally the resolution urges the State to provide individuals with information regarding PPE, self-isolation and best practices to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus translated into the individual’s native language.
“As we have all seen, the COVID-19 virus has disproportionately affected minority communities and communities of color,” stated Councilman Pedro Espinal, “Many of the Rhode Islanders in these communities may not speak English and are unable to self-isolate properly due to a lack of information, resources, PPE or space in their homes,”.
Self-isolation is key to keeping individuals who have tested positive with COVID-19 from spreading the virus. However, self-isolation can be very difficult when an individual lives with other people in their home, especially in close quarters. Further complicating this issue is the lack of translated information on health and safety for non-English speakers.
“Facts, data and PPE have been some of the most important factors in our fight with COVID-19. Personal Protective Equipment and reliable information on how to keep yourself and those around you safe must be made available to anyone who has tested positive with COVID-19; especially our neighbors who may not speak english,” continued Councilman Espinal.
Upon passage, copies of this resolution will be sent to Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo and Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott.
by Abigail Appel | Jun 5, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-2
Councilors Kat Kerwin (Ward 12), Rachel Miller (Ward 13) and Helen Anthony (Ward 2) proposed a resolution at tonight’s City Council Meeting urging Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo to enact a complete eviction moratorium. Additionally, this resolution encourages cancellation of rent and mortgage payments and forgiveness of prior payments and obligations for the duration of the State of Emergency and for 120 days after the order has been lifted.
“Rhode Island courts have been closed since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. There is a backlog of eviction cases coinciding with a jump in the state’s unemployment rate from 5% to 17%. It is clear that many Rhode Islanders are facing financial turmoil, and this is not the time to throw them out of their homes,” stated Councilwoman Kat Kerwin. “As legislators it is incumbent upon us to protect the residents of Providence from further financial hardships and displacement. This pandemic has touched the lives of everyone, but it is having the greatest effects on our low-wage and gig earners who have not been able to work due to closures of bars, limited reopening of restaurants and other parts of the service industry.”
“The COVID-19 crisis is far from over,” stated Councilor Rachel Miller “Moving forward with evictions would not only be unethical but it would increase homelessness and cause a heightened threat to public health and safety; possibly creating further spread of the COVID-19 virus. The majority of residents in Rhode Island are struggling, and we should be creating safety nets, and doing whatever we can to ensure that no resident faces eviction or foreclosure due to this global pandemic that was out of their control.”
The Councilors are also urging the Rhode Island General Assembly to take up a bill which replicates the language proposed in HR 6515- “Emergency Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act of 2020”, proposed by Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. This resolution would prohibit evictions for nonpayment of rent or mortgages, prohibit fines, fees and debt accrual for nonpayment, enact rent forgiveness and establish a relief fund to assist landlords.
“Our State government must work to support all Rhode Islanders during this difficult time; from renters and homeowners, to landlords. We cannot turn our backs on our neighbors who are struggling now, simply because the courts have reopened or executive orders have expired. The economic effects of COVID-19 remain and our government must continue to work to ensure all Rhode Islanders are able to get back on their feet without the fear of losing their homes or becoming homeless,” stated Councilwoman Helen Anthony.
Upon passage of the resolution, a copy shall be sent to Governor Gina Raimondo, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, and Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello.
