Gov. Tim Walz makes stop in Newport for campaign fundraiser

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — Governor Tim Walz, running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris, is set to speak with officials at a campaign reception in Newport, part of a long list of fundraising events across the East Coast.

Walz was in Boston last night, and is expected to be in New York later in the day.

Newport Police have blocked off Narragansett Avenue with checkpoints, and have been seen on most streets, according to our ABC6 news crews on scene.

A planned protest by the party of Socialism and Liberation, against Walz’s appearance in the Ocean State has started on Narragansett Avenue and Ochre Point Avenue.

Their signs read, “No Funds For Genocide! Walz Not Welcome.”

The party of Socialism and Liberation protests Walz’s appearance in Newport on Thursday, August 15. (WLNE)

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley spoke to ABC6 on Walz’s appearance in the state earlier in the week, and said:

“So, I will be at the fundraiser on Thursday, I’m excited to meet Governor Walz, I haven’t met him before. As someone who’s very active in the United States Conference of Mayors, we had a tremendous relationship with President Biden. We felt like he was a great champion for America’s cities and much of their agenda we can see the fruits of that here in Providence and in other cities around the country. So, if I get a chance to talk to Governor Walz, I’m going to talk about continuing that partnership with cities, and Providence specifically.”

Mayor of Pawtucket Donald Grebien also spoke on Walz visiting Rhode Island:

“I started out as a Biden delegate, now a Harris delegate. I think we have a lot of momentum, we’re excited to have him here. And it shows the respect and value and inclusiveness that the Harris and Walz campaign is going to bring. So looking forward to sneaking in, depending on the price.”