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 29, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia announced planned public safety upgrades in Ward Six with the installation of speed lumps and more speed patrols by the Providence Police Department.
“I meet with residents every single day, and the complaint I hear the most is about how unsafe they feel walking in our neighborhoods,” stated City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia. “The issue is that too many people use our city streets like speedways. With the installation of speed lumps strategically placed throughout the Ward, and an increase in Police patrols we will see calmer and safer streets.”
The speed lumps will be located at:
- Riverdale Street
- Parnell Street
- Maplehurst Street
- Montrose Street
- 78 Leah Street
- Gray Street (Between Fowler and Fairview)
The Providence Police Department was asked by President Pro Tempore Correia to increase patrols in the area of Manton Avenue, Amherst Street, and Academy Avenue.
Pro Tempore Correia continued, “ATVs and Dirt Bikes have long been a nuisance in our community, and I have worked to create policies that address this issue. We are serious, and if you are caught on the streets on one of these vehicles you will be ticketed, and the police will confiscate and potentially destroy your property.”
All traffic calming measures in Ward Six are ongoing and will be completed by the end of summer.
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.
by Billy Kepner | May 16, 2019 | Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-15, Ward-4, Ward-6, Ward-8
The Providence City Council passed a resolution sponsored by Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6), recognizing the week of May 19 through May 25, 2019 as National Public Works Week.
National Public Works Week is observed as a way to pay tribute to the public works professionals, engineers, managers and employees who make substantial contributions to protect our national health, safety, and quality of life.
“Every day as I travel my ward, and across the city, I see the men and women of the Department of Public Works laboring away,” stated City Council Pro Tempore Michael Correia, Ward 6. “As the Chairman of the Committee on Public Works, I know first-hand the professionalism, the dedication, and the motivation that every employee at the DPW has for their work. It’s because of the ingenuity of a crew member of the DPW that the fountain in DePasquale Square was fixed before the start of the summer season. It’s because of the men and women of the DPW that Councilors like myself can hold community clean-ups and mattress pick-ups. Their work matters and they don’t always get the appreciation they deserve. It’s my privilege and honor to acknowledge our Public Works employees not just this week, but every week.”
The resolution, proposed by Council President Pro Tempore Correia and co-sponsored by Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4), Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), Councilwoman Katherine Kerwin (Ward 12), and Councilman James E. Taylor (Ward 8), motivates the residents of Providence to become interested and engaged in the importance of publicly funded construction in their respective communities throughout the City.
National Public Works Week will consist of a series of events and ceremonies that pay tribute to the significant work done by public works professionals, and all citizens are encouraged to participate. 2019 is the 59th year that National Public Works Week has been recognized under the sponsorship of the American Public Works Association.
by Billy Kepner | May 2, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
City Council Shows Support For the Green New Deal
City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and City Council President Pro Tempore Michael J. Correia (Ward 6) co-sponsored a
resolution endorsing and urging passage by the General Assembly of House Resolution 2019 H-5665 and Senate Resolution 2019 S-0659. These resolutions request an assessment of the benefits to Rhode Island of enactment of the Green New Deal that was proposed at the Federal level and supported by the Rhode Island delegation.
“For too long, too many people have thought of Climate Change as something that doesn’t affect them, and has no bearing on their daily life or routine,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “The Green New Deal does not only have the potential to stimulate the economy but will also help mitigate issues that stem from a changing climate. Including dealing with our rising sea level, which has major ramifications for the city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island. The time is now for us to work to plan for a brighter future for Providence, Rhode Island, and our nation. I believe that the Green New Deal can play a major role in creating jobs, and creating a greener and more resilient planet.”
The Green New Deal (GND) is a proposed federal stimulus program that aims to address climate change and economic inequality. The name refers to the New Deal, a set of social and economic reforms and public work projects undertaken in response to the Great Depression. The GND combines the economic approach instituted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt with 21st-century ideas such as renewable energy and resource efficiency.
by Billy Kepner | May 2, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
Providence City Council to Recognize the Week of April 17 as
Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Week
City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and City Council President Pro Tempore Michael J. Correia (Ward 6) co-sponsored a
resolution which will recognize the week of April 17 as “Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Week” to commemorate the genocide of over two million Cambodians from 1975 to 1979 during the Khmer Rouge Regime.
“Rhode Island is home to nearly 13 thousand Cambodians, and as we just celebrated the Cambodian New Year, it seems fitting that we formally recognize and remember all those who were lost during the Khmer Rouge Regime,” stated Council President Sabina Matos. “As an immigrant, I know how difficult it can be to move to a new country where you don’t speak the language and likely don’t know many people. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for those 140,000 Cambodian refugees that came to the United States in 1979 after losing so many loved ones and leaving everything behind. Recognizing this week every year will be a reminder to take stock of all the sacrifices that were made by so many, and celebrating the contributions that the Cambodian community has made and continues to make to our city and state.”
The resolution calls for the week of April 17 to be recognized as “Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Week” in perpetuity to commemorate the Cambodian genocide that took place between 1975 and 1979, and in honor of this week the Cambodian flag will be flown over Providence City Hall.
