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.”

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.”

steveahlquist.substack.com

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.

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.

steveahlquist.substack.com

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...

‘A big loss to our community’: Friends of Judge Frank Caprio mourn his death

Frank Caprio, who was 88-years-old when he died, was known for his empathy, kindness and humor, leaving no shortage of good memories to be shared by those who knew him.

wpri.com

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..."

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..."

steveahlquist.substack.com

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.

Steve Ahlquist@steveahlquist.bsky.social · last yr.

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...

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...

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

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.

Attorney General 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.

steveahlquist.substack.com

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...

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

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.

Some jobs require putting personal beliefs aside. A Providence city role included: Opinion

June Rose made national news, including a video of June shouting with hands zip-tied next to some cops. It’s not the first time this happened.

providencejournal.com

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/

🚌 RIPTA is in trouble, fam. But together with the SAVE RIPTA Coalition, we have a plan to fix the funding issues facing Public Transportation in Rhode Island so we can get bus riders and our economy —...

TikTok video by How Rhody Runs

tiktok.com

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 Council President Miller requests an explanation for teacher non-renewals from Infante-Green and Montañez

"I am requesting an immediate review of these non-renewals [and a] a clear explanation of the rationale behind them..."

open.substack.com

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

Council Member Sanchez on Non Renewed Teachers

YouTube video by Steve Ahlquist

youtu.be

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.

Moms Demand Action@momsdemandaction.org · 2y ago

Everytown just launched a new initiative—Everytown Labs—designed to leverage the power of artificial intelligence to help further our understanding of gun violence and develop evidence-backed solutions to this preventable epidemic. 🧵

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...

“If Not for This, I’d Be Freezing to Death”: The Fight in Providence to Open a Temporary Shelter

How a pair of Providence city councilors bucked the mayor—and the trend of homelessness criminalization nationwide—to open an emergency shelter.

thenation.com

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

Ted Nesi@tednesi.bsky.social · 2y ago

Housing Network of RI's Melina Lodge: “We just physically lack the land to maintain a single-family only strategy”

Awful.

'Highly talented': DC plane crash victims include RI skater Spencer Lane and mom Christine

The Skating Club of Boston owner Doug Zeghibe said Spencer Lane was "in the best way possible, a crazy kid."

providencejournal.com

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.

Upzoning in Providence's 2024 Comprehensive Plan

YouTube video by Providence City Council

youtu.be

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.

Val Reishuk@urbanhiker.bsky.social · 2y ago

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 to @pvdcitycouncil.bsky.social, RIDOT, and local advocates @pvdstreets.bsky.social for making safety improvements to N Main. 20% of us travel car-free in PVD, like me. council.providenceri.gov/2025/01/28/m...