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6/5/2020
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Pawtucket delegation supports protesters, decries violence in wake of killing of George Floyd
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STATE HOUSE — In the wake of both peaceful protests and violent looting, the General Assembly’s Pawtucket delegation has released a statement in support of the state’s protestors while at the same time decrying the violence that has occurred.
The Pawtucket delegation includes Representatives Raymond H. Johnston Jr. (D-Dist. 61), Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60), Mary Duffy Messier (D-Dist. 62), Jean Philippe Barros (D-Dist. 59), Carlos E. Tobon (D-Dist. 58) and John W. Lyle Jr. (R-Dist. 46), and Senators Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8), William J. Conley Jr. (D-Dist. 18), Elizabeth A. Crowley (D-Dist. 16) and Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Dist. 15).
“We are not only supportive but heartened by the peaceful protesters who have labored so hard to shine a brighter light on racial injustices that still pervade so many facets of our society in institutions both private and public. Four hundred years of abuses should make every citizen of this country stand up and demand more from our government, our institutions, and — most of all — from ourselves. We mostly hope that people will continue to protest and that the passage of time will not once again make people complacent. We therefore publicly decry racism in any and every form, support the state’s protestors, and condemn as misguided the violence that has occurred.
“While standing up to demand justice is the right and duty of every American, violence is not. Wholesale destruction in the very neighborhoods that have been the biggest victims of those injustices is a travesty. We must not allow looters and opportunists to pervert what protesters are trying to accomplish. Violence only distracts from the message the protesters are trying to get across: that justice and equality needs to be the priority of everyone.
“The Pawtucket Police Department has maintained a good relationship with our communities of color by focusing on community policing and community building. While this moment in history is a difficult and frustrating one, perhaps we can use it to further build on that strong relationship.”
Cities around the country have faced both peaceful protests and unrest in the wake of the killing by police in Minneapolis of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man. Black Lives Matters organized a peaceful protest last weekend in Providence. The following evening saw rioting and looting in downtown Providence.
The Pawtucket delegation is proud of the diversity of the city and looks forward to working together for social equality.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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