Saturday January 28th, is the day Donald Trump unexpectedly signed an executive order stopping immigrants, from seven predominantly Muslim countries, from entering the United States for at least 120 days, and all Syrian refugees indefinitely. This course of action led to numerous protests at airports, where people were being detained throughout this country. Resist Hate RI, overnight organized a protest, scheduled to occur at the RI Statehouse today.
I became aware of the protest early this morning while watching the news on WRPI TV. I got my camera gear ready showing up at the Statehouse around 11:30 whereas the protest itself was scheduled for 1pm. Not a soul was present when I arrived, so I parked my car and waited. At noon still no-one; and finally around 12:30 a smattering of people began to arrive. People from Resist Hate RI said they expected somewhere around 1000 people to assemble as the event was put together quickly. By 1pm it was getting pretty crowded and by 1:30 a sizeable crowd was at hand.
The event attracted a number of elected officials. The Governor of RI Gina Raimondo spoke as did her husband whose parents are immigrants. Jorge Elorza, Shelton Whitehouse, David Cicilline and Jim Langevin, and other community organizers took turns to talk including Aaron Regunberg whose words I found inspiring and motivating. The amassed crowd represented a number of agendas: Immigration, Donald Trump’s cabinet appointments, opposition to the Wall, Islamophobia, and signs promoting Solidarity. There were those that read “Impeach and Replace,” “What Would Roger Williams Do” and simple statements such as “what have we become?”
This protest was orderly and non violent. Respect for one another was evident. I did not witness a single instance of a problem. When the last speaker finished the people, marching behind the Extroadinary Rendition What band, a large contingent of the protesters walked to Nathan Bishop School where Shelton Whitehouse was holding a Town Hall meeting. The sun had long set as the crowd filled the meeting area then overflowed to the steps and street outside. Chanting loudly Senator Whitehouse came outdoors and held a conversation with his constituents. They loudly protested the Senate vote to confirm Mike Pompeo as CIA director. They voiced their ideals for all our RI Federal Representatives to vote “no,” to block as well as they can all cabinet nominations. The shouts of “just say no” as well as “obstruct” were loudly present throughout the evening. One thing for sure, Senator Whitehouse “heard” his constituents voices “they did not want business as usual.”
So there we were, just one week since the women’s march in Washington and subsequent sister rally in Providence. There we were “again.” I surely hope and trust we don’t stop here. I sense this is just the beginning of protests that will lead to a citizen led movement.
The following images, to me, reflect the atmosphere and emotion of this peaceful protest, Americans, Rhode Islander’s expressing their First Amendment rights to assemble and voice their grievance.
Great job of covering this story James.
Thank you Gary. Much appreciated