PERA determines Providence Police assisted ICE, violating ordinances and policy "...the police department was in violation of both city ordinance and police department policy when they impermissibly assisted ICE agents in conducting civil immigration enforcement operations.”

Providence drops all $500 noise citations levied against striking workers "When the City punished workers for raising their voices, we raised ours, and I’m happy today to see the penalties dropped," said Council President Miller.

Judge Frank Caprio was one of a kind. I spoke to several people who remember him as just that, and told me about his legacy of kindness, compassion and friendship. Read and watch our full coverage on @wpri12.bsky.social here👇 www.wpri.com/news/local-n...

RI ACLU sends letter to Providence city officials about police collaboration with ICE "Regardless of the initial intent of Providence police in not collaborating with ICE... officers inescapably found themselves inextricably aiding ICE by maintaining a presence on the scene..."

On May 9, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested by federal agents. Across the country, the Trump admin is targeting local officials to bulldoze opposition to their agenda. Today, over 190 local officials stand in solidarity against this intimidation. Read 👇 localprog.org/RBLetter

Have never in my life seen a “no horns” sign from police until I drove by this one today. Please.

Smiley Administration is issuing $500 tickets to striking Butler Hospital workers “To me, it looks like the police, under orders from the mayor, are targeting low-income, women workers advocating for living wages and decent working conditions.” steveahlquist.substack.com/p/smiley-adm...

RI AG Neronha targets 6/10 Connector contamination settlement money toward child dental care “This should be the beginning of an acknowledgement by government that we have failed the people of Rhode Island regarding dental and healthcare, and committing ourselves to fix it," said AG Neronha.

The DOJ just pulled the rug out from under our communities by terminating community violence intervention funds with zero warning. This isn’t a policy change — it’s political punishment. We demand accountability. #ProtectCVI #FundCVI #CommunitySafety

Providence City Council passes ordinance preventing the fining of unhoused people camping on public property "This ordinance commits the city to the bare minimum of basic compassion over misguided cruelty," said Councilmember Miguel Sanchez. steveahlquist.substack.com/p/providence...

OMG!!! Dolores at Track 15 food hall in Downtown Providence has the Cemita (a torta/sandwich from Puebla, Mexico 🇲🇽) that I’ve been looking for ever since we left Los Angeles!!🥹👏🏽 This Cemita has a chicken milanesa cutlet, quesillo (Oaxaca cheese), avocado, chipotle & beans! 😋

AOC: I want to live in an America that guarantees healthcare to every person. I want to live in an America that has a living wage for every person I want to live in an America where you have free speech to express yourself and not be afraid of being put on a list or deported.

Mark Patinkin continues to pick the most urgent battles. This morning, he's got a column dedicated to criticizing a Providence City Council employee for their off-hours political activism. I wish I were kidding.

Huge thanks to @pvdcitycouncil.bsky.social for their support & recognition of our work! Their $125K grant in the 2024-25 budget helps us restore habitats, manage stormwater & keep the river thriving. Grateful for their commitment to a greener, resilient PVD! council.providenceri.gov/2025/02/21/c...

RI House & RI Senate Transit Champs have been working on solutions to sustainably fund our RIPTA buses. My friends below will be at the Statehouse Library Thu 2/27 at 3PM with details! TY Speaker Shekarchi & Prez Ruggerio for prioritizing transit. 🚌🚌🚌 www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2aQG9rm/

aint no way we cut medicaid and housing assistance so jeff bezos could buy this shirt

Save RIPTA press conference “where the Coalition will be announcing the 2025 Legislative Package for public transit in Rhode Island.”

open.substack.com/pub/steveahl... Kudos to leadership from Providence City Council by challenging these suspicious layoffs. @rachel-ri.bsky.social @msanchezpvd.bsky.social On Tyranny Ch 4 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 As always, friends, subscribe to Steve.

Providence City Councilmember Miguel Sanchez rose on a point of privilege Thursday evening. I edited his words for clarity in the posts following. You can watch him speak here: youtu.be/eibLbNUzS1A

In response to boiler issues at Manton Heights, we issued this statement.

As ECHO Village prepares to open this week, Council President @rachel-ri.bsky.social spoke about the need to protect Providence residents with policies that prevent homelessness. Read more about ECHO Village in The Public’s Radio article: thepublicsradio.org/housing/long-a…

BREAKING: Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier released from prison after nearly 50 years

The latest forecast from @tjdelsanto.bsky.social: "Winter Storm Warnings now in place across Southern New England, except for the Cape and Islands. Snow develops late this evening, becomes heavy overnight, ends slowly Sunday morning. Generally 4-8” More details here www.wpri.com/weather/deta...

Heads up, Community Violence Interrupters! @msanchezpvd.bsky.social @coreyjonespvd.bsky.social Our RI MomsDemand parent org has a new research capability, and it is not dependent on federal funding. #MomsAreEverywhere Pls pass the word to our colleagues who are not on this app.

While Grants Pass v. Johnson and the Trump administration have instigated cruel and ineffective approaches to homelessness, Providence City Councilors @msanchezpvd.bsky.social and Justin Roias show what's possible when local electeds fight for the people instead. www.thenation.com/article/soci...

“Eighty-seven percent of the state is already zoned for single-family housing, Lodge said.” WOW🫠🫠

Awful.

The housing crisis is getting worse. Redfin reports that Providence ranks as the least affordable metro for renters and is becoming less affordable, with the biggest year-over-year increase in the country.

In the Comprehensive Plan, City Council eliminated single-family zoning in Ward 6. Listen to @msanchezpvd.bsky.social to find out why, and how upzoning impacts our painful housing crisis.

Read this months blog about Council’s North Main Street Task Force! Chair @sueanderbois.bsky.social is working together with @pvdstreets.bsky.social, RIDOT, and other partners to keep pedestrians safe.

Johnston elected officials hide behind fire codes and police to prevent access to a public meeting Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. is applying the lessons he learned from his father. steveahlquist.substack.com/p/johnston-e...

“The buses don’t run often enough, so I have stopped hiring people who have to take the bus to or from work.” As this article makes plainly clear, our lack of public transit is HOLDING OUR ECONOMY BACK. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/01/27/p...

"54 people died while experiencing homelessness in Rhode Island last year...When the polar vortex arrived, it exacerbated the already dire conditions for homeless residents throughout the state." Great reporting in @thenation.com from @thomasbirm.bsky.social.

Efforts spearheaded by Councilors @msanchezpvd.bsky.social and Justin Roias to provide warm sanctuary away from the cold for Providence's unhoused community, including opening up the Council chamber overnight, were profiled today in @thenation.com by @thomasbirm.bsky.social

In response to the Trump administration's threats to our immigrant communities, Councilor @msanchezpvd.bsky.social issued this statement.

third consecutive 12 hour shift with my superhero colleague Amy❤️ over 50 individuals had a warm place to rest last night🙏🙏 so so grateful to everyone who has supported our efforts❤️

Inauguration Day ‘Rally for the Planet’ at RI State House was also a celebration of MLK Jr.'s legacy “We cannot afford to surrender to powerlessness and hopelessness, so what can we do?" asked Representative Stewart. "We live in a small State, which means we can have a big impact locally."

NEW: With less than a week before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, the Providence City Council is considering putting more limits into law on how city police can cooperate with federal immigration authorities. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/16/m...

INBOX: Senate Pres. Dominick Ruggerio and other top Senate Dems issue call for Governor McKee to declare a state of emergency on homelessness Speaker Shekarchi also said McKee should consider a declaration, as have dozens of lawmakers who signed Rep. Tanzi petition All on eve of State of the State

STORY: Mayor Smiley announces picks for Providence School Board www.wpri.com/news/local-n... @wpri12.bsky.social

NEW: Mayor Smiley has made his 5 picks for the new hybrid Providence School Board, including one member who was ousted by voters in November The race for president is already underway -- Ty'Relle Stephens and Heidi Silverio both tell me they are running www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/14/m...

“Ultimately, it’s my building.” — Governor McKee copying Mayor Smiley, probably.

Jackie Goldman: Praise for the unnamed volunteers who made the Providence emergency shelter happen "I have so much respect for the council members who made this happen, but I have much more respect and admiration for the people who made this work..." steveahlquist.substack.com/p/jackie-gol...

People’s State of the State Location: State House Rotunda Time: 6:00 PM

Update! As temperatures continue to drop, Providence City Councilors Miguel Sanchez and Justin Roias, with approval from Mayor’s administration, have secured the DaVinci Center as a temporary overnight warming center.

Kudos to @rachel-ri.bsky.social & @msanchezpvd.bsky.social for letting unhoused people get warm in the PVD City Council Chambers. (Also, Hi Professor Hirsch in the striped sweater.) www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/08/m...

Kimberly Simmons: RI Homelessness is a Public Health Crisis- The Governor has Misspoken "The fact that there are over 650 human beings of all ages living outside in the New England winter elements every day should be appalling to everyone." open.substack.com/pub/steveahl...

RI among 25 states getting minimum wage bump for 2025 www.npr.org/2025/01/01/n...

An utterly damning and horrific image.