Former RI state employee, fired for comments on Israel-Hamas war, speaks out

Alyssa Azzara,

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A staff member for Gov. Dan McKee has been let go after his public comments on the Israel-Hamas War.

Miguel Sanchez, who worked as an associate in the Governor’s Constituent Services Office, and is also a Providence city councilor, posted to social media on Monday saying in part, “On Friday, I was fired by Governor McKee for my public position on the atrocities occurring in Gaza. Since Oct. 7, I have used my voice as an elected official to condemn all violence against any innocent civilians.”

ABC 6 News spoke with Sanchez on Monday, who said he does not regret voicing his opinion on the conflict.

“As Israel continues to escalate its massacre in Gaza, the need to speak out for innocent Palestinian civilians has never been more urgent, regardless of personal consequences,” Sanchez said.

“I join the 80% of Democrats who support a ceasefire and the increasing number of elected officials who are speaking out in favor of de-escalation. Gov. McKee may have taken away my job, but he won’t pressure me into silence while a genocide is occurring in front of our eyes,” Sanchez continued.

Sanchez further told ABC 6 in an interview that the termination came as a surprise to him.

“It’s definitely mixed emotions that I’m feeling today, with the obvious one not having a job, I live pretty close to paycheck-to-paycheck, so that’s something I need to figure out as soon as possible,” Sanchez explained.

“What I’ve been calling for is a ceasefire, Pope Francis literally called on it today, so it’s something that immediately, in my opinion, needs to happen. Every politician should be calling for it in order to prevent any more civilian lives from being killed,” Sanchez continued.

In a statement to ABC 6, McKee’s office said Sanchez’s last day was Friday, Oct. 27.

The statement went on to say, “The governor’s position on Israel is clear. The governor has unequivocally condemned the despicable acts of war and terror perpetrated by Hamas against the people of Israel. The governor also agrees with the President that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live in safety and peace.”

“The governor strongly believes that words matter – and words can have the potential to fan the flames of hate and division,” the statement continued.

“Any acts of violence will not be tolerated in Rhode Island.  At the direction of the governor, a member of our senior staff has spoken with the individual and the situation is under review. At this time, we will not be commenting on it further,” a portion of the statement, originally issued before Sanchez was let go, said.

Sanchez also shared a video to X, formerly known as Twitter, of him participating in the march through Providence calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on October 22.

Sanchez represents Ward 6 on the Providence City Council.

Despite losing his position at the State House, Sanchez told ABC 6 that he can sleep at night, knowing his opinion is valued by constituents and Rhode Island residents who may share similar beliefs.

“I’ve had so many people reach out to me who are in similar positions, thanking me for standing up to powerful forces and voicing what I think is right,” Sanchez concluded.

When asked, Sanchez declined to comment on if he plans to fight or appeal his termination.

Categories: News, Providence, Rhode Island

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