PawSox stadium opponents to rally at state house

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ Opponents of a new stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox are hoping to get the attention of state lawmakers before the legislative session ends.

Citizens will rally Thursday evening at the Rhode Island State House.

Rally organizer David Norton says protesters will call on lawmakers to reject a stadium deal with the new owners of the team.

Norton says he’s collected about 14,000 signatures from Rhode Islanders opposed to using taxpayer money for a new ballpark.

The owners of the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox are negotiating with state officials after their original proposal asking for $120 million from taxpayers for a downtown Providence stadium was rejected.

House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello has said lawmakers may hold a special session in the fall to consider a new proposal. 

(C) The Associated Press 2015