With a large demonstration planned in Providence on Friday afternoon, Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo said the state hopes for a peaceful gathering, but is prepared if things happen differently.
During a news conference, Raimondo was asked by reporters about barricades placed outside the downtown-facing side of the Statehouse and along the Francis Street side of Providence Place.
“There are a number of protests, a number of different groups, and we expect that they will be peaceful,” she said. “Having said that, we are prepared particularly if when the sun goes down we see folks coming here to want to act violently, we are ready, we are surveilling, and we will hold them accountable if they engage in any kind of violence.”
The governor later said the barricades at the Statehouse will be taken down by 4:30 pm.
Providence Police on Thursday said they had not received any credible information suggesting violence at the demonstration in support of the memory of George Floyd, the man who died in the custody of Minneapolis police.
But after downtown Providence was struck by vandalism and disorder late Monday into Tuesday, Raimondo activated the National Guard and drew a line against violence.
On social media, some say the state’s response – including an alert sent to mobile phones statewide with a reminder of a 9 p.m. curfew in Providence – is too heavy-handed.
“Barricades will do little to deter those who simply want to commit violence but speak volumes to those who simply want to protest and exercise their First Amendment rights,” Rob Smith said on Twitter. “How many protests with mostly white people had barricades or text message warnings?”
On Twitter, State Rep. Jason Knight (D-Barrington) called the barricades overzealous.
Friday’s demonstration is being organized by young activists.
Raimondo spoke during a joint news conference with Brother Gary Dantzler of the Rhode Island chapter of Black Lives Matter.
“I’m so honored to be here,” Dantzler said, “to this day, that we’re working together and trying to make change in America.”
Dantzler cited a need for an action plan to convert the energy of activists into change.
Raimondo praised Dantzler for his efforts to make peaceful change and said she will work with activists to try to reduce racism and social inequities. The governor also put her support behind the view that black lives matter
Raimondo said she would support legislation that would reform the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, a measure viewed by critics as an impediment to disciplining problem police officers.
“Get it to my desk,” she said. “It’s time for change.”
