Over 500 people rallied at the Rhode Island State House in support of Palestine and Lebanon on Saturday, two days before the one-year anniversary of the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
From Sept. 29 to Oct. 5, a coalition of activist groups co-organized events in support of Palestine announced in an Instagram post by the Rhode Island Party for Socialism and Liberation. In addition to PSL R.I., this coalition also included groups like Brown Students for Justice in Palestine, Brown’s Palestine Solidarity Caucus and Jewish Voice for Peace R.I.
Saturday’s rally was one of several across the country as part of an “International Day of Action.”
Prior to the state house rally, over 100 students protested on the Main Green. In his speech at the demonstration, Kenneth Kalu ’27 drew attention to the topic of Brown’s potential divestment from companies with ties to the Israeli military. He also discussed the University’s decision to not publicly share their advisory committee’s recommendation on divestment until the Corporation, the University’s highest governing body, votes on the issue in late October.
Following the Main Green protest, the students were joined by over 50 Rhode Island School of Design students near Carr Haus cafe before they all walked to the R.I. state house rally together.
About 40 pro-Israel counter-protesters — some of whom were affiliated with the R.I. Coalition for Israel — were also present at the state house.
In a press statement, RICI Executive Director Howard Brown wrote that RICI “welcomed the opportunity” to counter-protest and expressed support for businesses “withdrawing employment opportunities” from pro-Palestine individuals and demonstrators.
The rally proceeded to march through Providence, passing by Providence City Hall and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s (D-R.I.) office. In their chants, the protesters criticized Whitehouse, who has received over $130,000 from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, better known as AIPAC. The committee is the largest contributor to his reelection campaign for a fourth term.
His campaign has also received over $48,000 from J Street PAC, which promotes policies that “help secure the State of Israel as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people” according to their website.
Protestors also chanted “Brett Smiley, you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide,” referring to Smiley’s intention to veto any proposed ordinances which prohibit the City from investing its assets in Israeli bonds.
The ordinance would also prevent the city from reinvesting currently held sovereign bonds upon their maturity, The Herald previously reported.
Providence is not directly invested in Israeli bonds, but a $7.5 million passive index fund in the city’s pension portfolio holds about $30,000 in Israeli bonds, representing 0.4% of the fund.
Demonstrators later protested in front of Textron’s headquarters. The Israeli Air Force arsenal currently includes aircrafts manufactured by Textron subsidiaries Bell and Beechcraft, The Herald previously reported.
The activist coalition also organized “Businesses for Palestine,” a two day-long fundraising event that encouraged local businesses to donate proceeds to the Middle East Children’s Alliance. Participating businesses raised around $170,000 out of a goal of $1 million as of Sunday.
Riffraff Bookstore was one of the businesses that donated to the cause. Co-owner Lucas Mann said he wanted to be involved because of the bookstore’s role as a community space.
“It’s something we believe in, that is impossible to not think about and care about. To try to forcibly keep that out of the business would be wrong, and unnatural,” Mann wrote in an email to The Herald.
Down the Road Movers — a moving service that hires formerly incarcerated individuals — also donated. Founder and owner Trent Manning mentioned transparency and visible support as reasons for his involvement in “Businesses for Palestine.”
“I want to showcase (that) this is where my money is going ... if you support me, you understand who I support,” said Manning.
Avani Ghosh is a Metro Editor covering politics & justice and community & activism. She is a junior from Ohio studying Health & Human Biology and International & Public Affairs. She is an avid earl grey enthusiast and can be found making tea in her free time.
Megan is a Senior Staff Writer covering community and activism in Providence. Born and raised in Hong Kong, she spends her free time drinking coffee and wishing she was Meg Ryan in a Nora Ephron movie.
