Hundreds gather for another protest outside of Textron Headquarters

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Hundreds of people were gathered at the Textron building in Providence, demanding an end to what they call “the complicity of our government and our schools in the occupation of Palestine and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.”

Friday’s demonstration was organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation and was one of dozens of local protests calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East over the past month.

“Standing here today, I know that if my family hadn’t been living in the US, I would be one of the people under the rubble in Gaza,” one organizer said. “Matter of fact, regardless of whether I was living there, or just going to visit family in Gaza, I would have been among those who have been massacred.”

The protest took place at Textron because it’s a defense technology provider with the US military, which provides aid to Israel.

It’s the same location as a protest last week, and where two RISD students were arrested for allegedly vandalizing the building.

“Don’t think that just because you’re here and you see hundreds, thousands or whatever that this is it,” Narragansett Tribal Elder Bella Noka said. “There are millions supporting what you’re doing. Countries, everyone is supporting what you’re doing. Don’t let it get confused because you see something on TikTok that goes against it.”

Protesters mentioned the shooting at a local mosque that took place earlier Friday, saying this is the consequence for the rhetoric used surrounding the conflict in Gaza.

Police haven’t yet said whether the shooting was tied to the victim’s religion and are still investigating.

“I think even here in Rhode Island we’re seeing a shift, right?” organizer Andira Alves said. “Where it was very difficult to speak openly and popularly about Palestine. But people are seeing live on Instagram what is happening, and there’s just no excuse. Enough is enough. So, it’s really, I think a majority of Americans, a majority of Rhode Islanders want a ceasefire.”

Alves said protests will continue until their demands are met.

In a previous statement Textron told ABC 6 it respects the rights of people to engage in peaceful and lawful protest and “takes pride in supporting the U.S. military and U.S. allies with our technologies.”