Hundreds march in Providence ‘Black Lives Matter’ rally
By Kirsten Glavin
@kirstenglavin
PROVIDENCE, RI – There were high emotions and at some points, anger, as Black Lives Matter advocates made their frustrations known to police on Thursday. Hundreds of people marched through the capital city, demanding change and calling attention to police brutality against people of color.
People came with signs, and chanted calls for police accountability and equality.
"We need to hold our police accountable, and we need to address the fact that this happens in providence too,” one Black Lives Matter representative told ABC6 News.
"People of color, I don’t know… we have a target on our back,” another explained.
Black lives matter advocates in Providence took part in the national movement, beginning at Kennedy Plaza. From there, the massive group headed straight up the steps of city hall, and into council chambers.
They called for a Providence Community Safety Act, which would hold police accountable for their actions. The ordinace is comprised of 12 key provisions.
"I’m a therapist, I have a licensing board. I have accountability. We don’t have that kind of accountability with police,” one advocate said.
The march continued on to the Providence Public Safety Complex, where they were met by heavily armed Police in bullet-proof vests.
"This group, compared to the others, is much more vocal,” said Major Thomas Verdi of the Providence Police Department. “And I would say a majority of them are more anti–police than the other protests."
But, Major Verdi added, "Most of the population truly respects everyday what men and women in law enforcement do."
