by Billy Kepner | Aug 14, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
Statement Regarding Friday’s Shooting on Douglas Avenue:
I want to thank the Providence Police Department, especially the officer that was shot in the line of duty, for their dedication and bravery. They handled Friday’s shooting with professionalism, and that should be commended.
However, this event should have never happened. It is disturbing to my neighbors and me that the accused young man, who was out on bail from another weapons charge, was able to access a firearm. If he was alleged to be dangerous – why was he released on bond? If someone has a track record of being a violent offender, which this young man is alleged to have, why was he released? And at the very least, why was he not released on home confinement and monitored? These questions need to be answered. This is another occasion where our court system has failed us again.
I encourage our State leaders to look into stronger penalties when it comes to weapons charges. We need to act now.
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Nicholas J. Narducci Jr., Senior Deputy Majority Leader – Providence City Council – Councilman, Ward 4
by Billy Kepner | Jul 19, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-11, Ward-15, Ward-4, Ward-5, Ward-6, Ward-7
Statement from City Council President Sabina Matos and the City Council Leadership Team Regarding the States’ Takeover of the Providence City School District:
In the aftermath of the Providence Public School District Community Forums and on the eve of a state takeover of our public school district, the City Council remains committed to playing a collaborative role in our children’s educational future.
We look forward to the opportunity to work in partnership with RIDE and to help foster solutions that will improve educational outcomes for our kids.
Despite the Mayor not being communicative or transparent with the Council in these preliminary stages of this process, we remain unwavering in our shared responsibilities to provide students with safer and cleaner school buildings, a more relevant and rigorous curriculum, and a quality of education that sets them up for success.
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Council President Sabina Matos
Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia
Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr.
Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris
Majority Whip John J. Igliozzi, Esq.
by Billy Kepner | Jul 18, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
This evening I will introduce an ordinance that will help ensure the safety of pedestrians, student fundraisers, and panhandlers on our streets. All too often we see young people raising money for their sports teams or other organizations standing at busy intersections, and I’m always concerned for their safety.
Even with Rhode Island’s “Hands-Free Law,” distracted driving is still a problem in Providence and around the state. This proposed legislation is meant to protect individuals who are actively soliciting donations from a myriad of dangers; including being hit by vehicles, causing unintended accidents, and even death. On June 17, 2019, a panhandler was stabbed to death, and another was beaten and died from their injuries over a year ago at the off-ramp on Branch Avenue.
This ordinance is not the end, but it’s the beginning of a tough conversation of how we balance freedom of speech and personal safety. I don’t know the answers, but as a legislator, I know that I have a moral obligation to protect the lives of those that call Providence home.
I’m aware of the ACLU’s position and legal accomplishments in similar cases, and I’m hoping that we can work together to find solutions that don’t infringe on people’s rights, yet keeps them out of harms way.
by Billy Kepner | Jun 7, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-4, Ward-5, Ward-6, Ward-7, Ward-8, Ward-9
City Council Passes Resolution Welcoming June as Pride Month
At the June 6, 2019 City Council meeting Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and Councilwoman Rachel M. Miller (Ward 13) introduced a resolution welcoming the month of June as PRIDE month in Providence. The resolution was unanimously passed by the full council.
“Providence is a city that welcomes everyone, regardless of their gender, race, orientation, religion or how they identify,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “As a Catholic, I was deeply hurt by the remarks of Bishop Tobin regarding the LGBTQIA+ community, and believe that God welcomes all and stand by Mark 12:31, ‘The second {commandment} is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’”
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which many consider being the catalyst that moved the gay liberation movement forward. In the early hours of June 28, 1969 Trans-women and men, gays, lesbians, and their ally’s took to the streets after continued abuse at the hands of the New York City Police in a series of riots that would propel the movement forward to where we are today.
“We can’t forget that Pride’s origin was a broad social movement for equity and inclusion. That’s especially true in today’s political climate while the LGBTQIA community is organizing to stop a national rollback on some hard-won victories,” Councilwoman Rachel M. Miller stated. “As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I was angered by Bishop Tobin’s recent comments but I’m proud to create an opportunity for elected officials to be on the side of love and on the side of affirming and supporting our LGBTQIA+ community.”
The first Pride march in Providence took place in 1976 when over 70 brave men and women, marched in Kennedy Plaza, after winning the right to do so after a court battle handled by the ACLU. They were taunted by police and residents alike, yet they were not deterred. Today, known as the “76’ers,” Belle Pelegrino one of the original marchers, told The Providence Journal that, “We totally expected that when we stepped into the plaza, gunfire was going to come. We thought we were going to die.”
As noted by The Washington Post, The New York Times, Time, Rolling Stone, CNN, and countless other news outlets the Trump administration has continually rolled back almost every single LGBTQIA+ protection that were put in place by previous administrations. This is why the City Council believes it is more important than ever to memorialize and codify their support for all members of our community.
Pride is celebrated around the world during the month of June, in recognition of the Stonewall Riots that took place on the morning of June 28, 1969. This year marks the 43rd Anniversary of Providence Pride which has grown from a march of 70 men and women to a weekend celebration that brings 1000’s of people to our city in celebration of equality and love.
In 2018, the City Council officially recognized the month of June as Pride Month in perpetuity and was passed by the full Council. The Providence City Council celebrates and recognizes the contributions, struggles, risks, and many identities of Providence’s LGBQIA+ community and their families and proudly affirms that love is love.
The City Council recognizes and thanks Rhode Island Pride for all they do to for the community not just on Pride weekend, but throughout the year. Pride takes place on Saturday, June 15 with Pridefest taking place along South Main Street (North from Memorial Boulevard and South Water Street to the South ending at Wickenden Street) from 12 pm – 7 pm. It will culminate in New England’s only illuminated night Pride Parade that begins at 8 pm and will travel down Dorrance Street, to Washington Street, to Empire Street and ends on Weybosset Street. This year’s theme is #LiveYourTruth.
For more information on Rhode Island Pride, please visit prideri.org.
by Billy Kepner | May 23, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Uncategorized, Ward-4, Ward-6
In honor of the National Public Works Week Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia, Chairman of the Committee on Public Works and his colleague Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas Narducci Jr. hosted a luncheon in appreciation for the hard work of the men and women of the Providence Department of Public Works.
