Providence Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune spoke at a gathering of Providence Student Union members and their supporters at City Hall earlier today.

“Our city has an obligation to provide for the health and safety of our students in many different ways,” stated Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune. “Unfortunately, our students have let us know that there is still much work to be done. I look forward to working with all parties involved, including Providence Student Union and Providence Public Safety, to submit an ordinance that addresses the Providence Student Union’s concerns and invests in a holistic strategy for student health and safety.”

Councilwoman LaFortune’s ordinance will include language to address many of the students’ concerns around school safety, including measures to protect students from incidents of violence, create lines of engagement with administrators and public safety personnel, and address their concerns regarding over-policing of students, especially students of color.

LaFortune continued, “This is the beginning of a larger conversation that policy makers, elected officials, and the school department need to have with the students we serve. The students are the ones that are affected by the policies we put forth, but are often not included in the discussion. It’s my goal to ensure that these students, through Providence Student Union, have a voice and a seat at the table going forward.”

Councilwoman LaFortune represents Ward Three in the East Side of Providence and will start her first full term in January 2018.

For more information, visit us on the web at council.providenceri.gov.