WPRO News
Flanked by more than two dozen members of the Rhode Island House, Rep. Anastasia Williams, a black member from Providence called out what she describes as “systemic racism” in Rhode Island. She called for reforms in a number of areas, from economics to police treatment of people of color.
In the wake of the May 25 killing in Minneapolis of a black man, George Floyd, for which four local police officers have been charged, Williams took especial aim at law enforcement.
“There are a list of things that we all need to get together and address. Law enforcement on all levels in all municipalities in the state of Rhode Island. It’s time to create a unified body to root out those who are proven to be unfit to wear a badge. For far too long, these bad actors, these jump-out boys, have been sheltered, have been protected, have been encouraged, have been condoned and even promoted, and it has to stop,” she said.
“It is a two-way street. If you expect me to be responsible and represent you well, I’m expecting law enforcement to not only serve but to protect. Not to beat me down like a runaway slave on somebody’s plantation,” she said.
Williams called for changes to the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights, which affords protections to police officers suspected of wrongdoing. House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello was asked, but did not commit to enact any changes to the law.
“Not every law enforcement officer is a bad cop. By just a handful of bad ones it makes all the good ones look just the same.”
Williams also called for increases in the minimum wage, reforms to the Department for Children, Youth and Families, the state’s child welfare agency and others.
A member of the Black Lives Matter group called out Governor Gina Raimondo for not attending the rally, which was largely attended by members of the House of Representatives, as well as Lt. Gov. Daniel McKee.
A spokesperson for the governor told WPRI-TV that she was in an important meeting regarding the coronavirus crisis Thursday morning and could not attend the gathering on the South front of the State House, but said she plans to attend vigil later in the evening.
