Protesters gather on I-95. Photo courtesy of Naomi Garber
By Sam Wroblewski 630wpro.com
“I just think it was ridiculous and idiotic and I condemn it in the strongest ways possible,” said NAACP Providence President Jim Vincent in response to protesters in Tuesday night’s demonstration shutting down I-95 for several minutes.
Vincent had been a part of Tuesday night’s march to protest the grand jury decision in Ferguson, but he left the group before they reached the Public Safety Complex where they eventually jumped the fence onto I-95 near exit 20 and crossed over to the northbound lane.
“I just can’t believe that something that was so positive could end so badly,” continued Vincent.
Rhode Island State Police Colonel Steven O’Donnell said a group of roughly 150 jumped down onto the highway; he said their behavior was discouraging.
“We spent a lot of time with community leaders last week talking about this and the ones I talked to last night after this happened were pretty disappointed,” said O’Donnell.
Two of the protesters who briefly occupied I-95 during Tuesday night told WPRO’s John DePetro they were happy to shut the highway down saying it was necessary to bring attention to the issue in Ferguson.
“This is the only way […] to get the attention of white America,” said Gary Dantzler.
Dantzler and his friend Justice Alfred said the grand jury decision in Ferguson points to a greater issue of police force and inequalities in America as evidence by the large support of non-black protesters during Tuesday night’s event.
“That’s key, because now we’re telling the world this is about human life; unfortunately we have to present it as a race issue, and really I don’t like it, but the fact is we have to deal with it in that manner. And if this is what it takes to get everybody’s attention, shutting down highways, shutting down airports; shut it down,” said Alfred.
Both men say they are waiting to see if more people will step forward to keep the message alive.
State Police say they arrested a handful of individuals and brought them to the Lincoln barracks where they awaiting arraignment.
In total six people were arrested.
