Civil Rights / Liberties – Page 4

June 8, 2016June 8, 2016

Today: No LNG in PVD: Demonstration at Fields Point

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Please join The FANG Collective, Environmental Justice League of RI along with area residents and other community and environmental organizations to bring attention to the 100 million dollar, fracked, liquefied natural gas compressor station National Grid is trying to build in South Providence. This is a clear example of environmental racism as all 11 of the EPA’s identified toxic polluters in Providence are already in this zip code, which is predominantly low-income people of color. The impact and dangers of this project are enormous and have been outlined by the EJ League in detail here.

Whether you already stand in opposition to this project and would like to bring attention to its dangers or would like to find out more about the project and its implications on our city and state, PLEASE join us Wednesday between 4pm-6pm at the entrance to the facility on the corner of Allens Ave and Terminal Rd.

[From a press release]

June 7, 2016June 7, 2016

CLF supports power plant bill, calls out ‘scare tactics’

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2016-05-26 Burrillville at the State House 021 — Paul Fogarty addresses constituents at the State House

The Conservation Law Fund (CLF) supports S-3037, by Senators Fogarty, Nesselbush, and Kettle, and respectfully urges passage of this bill. This bill addresses an important issue pertaining to the proposal by Invenergy to build a new 900 MW fossil-fuel power plant in Burrillville, RI.

CLF has considerable first-hand knowledge of the Invenergy proposal. CLF is the only environmental organization that has been admitted as a full party before the Energy Facility Siting Board (EFSB) in Docket SB 20 15-06, which is the Invenergy permitting proceeding. CLF is the only environmental organization that has been admitted as a full party in the Public Utilities Commission Docket # 4606 that is considering issues pertaining to Invenergy (including whether the proposed plant is even needed and what the ratepayer impacts might be).

In connection with these legal proceedings, CLF has received and reviewed thousands of pages of evidence, including significant quantities of confidential information pertaining to the Invenergy proposal. CLF urges passage of Senator Fogarty’s bill because it addresses a crucially important issue that is not being addressed anywhere else — and, indeed, cannot be addressed anywhere else: the matter of voter approval for tax treaties.

I respectfully direct your attention to the portion of this bill beginning on page 3, line 34, and running through page 4.

Under long-existing law, R.I. General Laws § 44-3-30, the Town Council of Burrillville has the legal ability to enter into tax agreements, called “tax treaties,” with the proponent or owner of electricity-generating plants within the Town. Senator Fogarty’s bill would make one crucially important change to this law. The bill would retain the long-existing power of the Burrillville Town Council to enter into these tax treaties — but would require voter approval of such treaties.

This bill is good for democratic process.

The only argument that I have personally heard from Invenergy’s lawyers against this provision in the Fogarty Bill is that, by requiring such voter approval for tax treaties, the Bill would stymie any and all infrastructure projects in the state. I was even told that passage of the Fogarty Bill would prevent small projects from going forward at the Johnston Land Fill.

This is untrue. The underlying, existing statute that the Fogarty Bill modifies pertains only to Burrillville, and only to electricity generators in Burrillville. The Bill would have no application and no effect anywhere else in the state.

Moreover, if enacted, the Fogarty Bill would not stop the Invenergy plant from being built — nor even prevent the Burrillville Town Council from entering into a tax treaty with Invenergy. The only thing the Fogarty Bill would do is require that any such tax treaty be voted on by the people of Burrillville.

And, in the event that such a tax treaty were turned down by Burrilliville voters, even that would not necessarily stop the Invenergy plant from being built. The tax treaty that was voted down would not take effect, but Invenergy could seek to negotiate a different tax treaty, or could even build the plant without a tax treaty.

In short, the scare tactics used by Invenergy and its allies to oppose this provision of the Fogarty Bill are just not true.

I want to address one other provision in this bill: the section on page 1, lines 7 to 14, that would enlarge the membership of the EFSB. When this bill was heard in the House Environment Committee on Thursday, May 26, National Grid expressed reservations about expanding the membership of the EFSB, and said that so expanding the EFSB could potentially jeopardize tens (or even hundreds) of millions of dollars of pending infrastructure projects.

CLF has long had reservations about the way the current EFSB is constituted; thus, CLF well understands the impulse to change how the EFSB is constituted. Nevertheless, CLF believes that the most critically important portion of Senator Fogarty’s bill is the portion on page 4 requiring voter approval of tax treaties. For that reason, if there is significant opposition to the provision on page 1 of the bill (changing the membership of the EFSB). CLF respectfully urges that you strip out that latter provision and pass the rest of the bill.

[This post was created with an advanced copy of Jerry Elmer’s testimony for tomorrow’s Senate Judiciary hearing.]

June 6, 2016

Artemis Moonhawk, Sarath Suong receive Red Bandana Awards

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2016-06-05 Red Bandana Awards Bill Harley — Bill Harley

Two local organizers, Artemis Moonhawk and Sarath Suong were honored at the Red Bandana Awards held at Nick-A-Nees in Providence Sunday. Music was provided by local virtuoso Chris Monti and the boisterous partying of the Extraordinary Rendition Band. Bill Harley, who heads up the Red Bandana selection committee presented the awards.

Artemis has been a long time advocate for the homeless, spending a large amount of her time and money helping to prepare meals and advocating for homeless rights. She came to the stage surrounded by the people she advocates for. She had invited them to the event to share the award with her and gave everyone who accompanied her a chance to speak if they chose.

The second award went to Sarath Suong, co-founder and organizer of the Providence Youth Student Movement, (PrYSM). Growing up in a Southeast Asian community in Boston, Suong told the audience that he learned two important lessons from mentors, “One, What’s happened to you and your people and your community is not because it’s your fault. And the second thing they told me is that what’s happening right now and what’s happening in your community, you have the power to change it.”

“I understand my place in this country as a child of war,” said Suong, “When we came here we were sort of a reminder of the Vietnam War, a reminder of a war that the US had lost.”

Suong used his time on stage to advocate for two important projects PrYSM is currently working on. The first one is the Community Safety Act. “We are trying to get passed a city ordinance that will hold the Providence Police Department accountable to the ways that they profile young people, poor people, people of color, queer and trans people… We need more police accountability. We need the police department to get their boots off our necks while we are trying to live.

“We need help,” continued Suong, “For those folks who live on the East Side of Providence or have friends and family or any influence in Providence, please contact Councilpeople [Samuel] Zurier and [Seth] Yurdin. And please urge them to really support the Community Safety Act.”

The second project Suong mentioned was getting the All Students Count Act 2016 (H7235) passed in the State House. “What’s really important for Southeast Asians is that we are lumped into a larger Asian racial category. What that does is erases the real struggles of Southeast Asian young people who will only graduate at 60 percent of the regular rate.”

Here’s a sample of some music from Chris Monti, who opened the show, followed by a song from the Extraordinary Rendition Band, who closed it out. Because of the rain, ERB was forced to perform inside, which is a shame because they are a wild outdoors dance band.

And here’s the entire awards ceremony, which starts with Bill Harley giving a short biography of journalist and community organizer Richard Walton, and explains why these awards are given in his name.

June 6, 2016

On Burrillville power plant, Janet Coit shows concern for the environment and/or future lawsuits

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The June 2 open meeting of the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) was a rare opportunity to hear board members Margaret Curran, Janet Coit and Parag Agrawal talk openly about their thoughts regarding the process of the board in approving or denying Invenergy‘s proposed fracked gas and diesel oil burning power plant in Burrillville. That said, it’s also a bad idea to draw too many inferences about board members thoughts based on their words.

One example of this came near the end of the 45 minute meeting. Janet Coit, who directs the RI Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) when she’s not on the EFSB, suggested directing RIDEM to expand their advisory opinions on the environmental impact to include impact on wetlands, impact on state conservation areas and the cumulative impact of all fossil fuel development in the area, including pipeline compressors and the Ocean State Power Plant.

It would be easy to see Coit’s suggestion, which was approved unanimously by the board, as indicative of a concern about environmental impacts and as a response to the concerns of community members who have spoken at one or more of the open comment hearings held in Burrillville. But Coit’s suggestion may be no more than an attempt to make sure all the bases are covered. Getting advisory impact statements does not take away the EFSB’s ability to rubber stamp the power plant. It just provides the board with appropriate legal cover.

Chair Curran was on board with the suggestion that the cumulative effects the fossil fuel infrastructure in Burrillville might have on wildlife, saying, “I’m partial to the bats.” But again, her concern for the bats might dissipate in the light of Invenergy’s desire to build a new power plant where it is not wanted.

Coit also suggested that the EFSB take “official notice” of the court order that closed the MTBE contaminated well in Pascoag, the same well that Invenergy hopes to use to cool their turbines on the promise of cleaning up the contamination. The well was sealed after many families became due to the MTBE in their water. As a result of Coit’s suggestion the court order has become part of the official record.

There were no public comments allowed at this meeting, and no lawyers from any of the intervenors were allowed to ask questions or comment. The meeting was for the three board members to “discuss, deliberate and decide” on various aspects of the hearing process. They started by denying one “late intervention” of an abutting property owner and approving another. The difference between the two applicants seemed to be that one applicant was zoned for residential and business, a special case that may require a separate lawyer.

Todd Bianco, coordinator of the EFSB, ran through the current status of the advisory opinions the board has requested. Most of the opinions seem to be roughly on schedule. Surprisingly, Invenergy has yet to apply for the proper permits from the RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT). Under current rules, it would take RIDOT three months to process the applications, and Bianco said RIDOT was “unable to determine if the applications will be on time.”

The meeting ended with a discussion of how to do better outreach with the public. Bianco said that he continues to run advertisements for meetings in the ProJo and in two local Burrillville publications. This lead to a discussion of whether or not to have a Twitter account for the EFSB.

“It would be my first,” said Bianco, “I could learn how to tweet, and hashtags are a thing…”

June 5, 2016June 7, 2016

Business versus democracy in Rhode Island

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When describing what she sees as the problem of convincing millennials that they need financial literacy, Abigail Johnson, the CEO who runs the company that runs Fidelity Investments, said that not only do millennials not understand that they need to save money for retirement, but they “don’t have the money to save anyway, so what’s the point?” (See video below, starting at the 23m mark)

Johnson was making a joke, one that Governor Gina Raimondo laughed at along with most of the attendees of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce 2016 “Economic Outlook Luncheon.” She was answering Chamber president Laurie White’s question about the difficulties of channeling millennials into the workforce of the future.

Johnson hoped that millennials, even those who don’t go to college, might one day learn the “concepts” and “basics” of financial planning. She estimated that perhaps 14 percent of Rhode Islanders have their retirement funds invested in her company, the not-so-subtle subtext being that she sees millennials, the “workforce of the future,” as essential to her company’s future profits.

White, Johnson and Raimondo were talking about people as commodities, defined purely by their economic value.

This is the promise of “neoliberalism,” ostensibly a view that markets, when left alone, will govern themselves fairly and equitably. But Wendy Brown, a political scientist at UC Berkeley, wanted to explore what neoliberalism has done “to political life, to social life and to the human being.”

Neoliberalism seeks to expand markets to every part of life, including democracy, human social life, education, social services and more. “The idea,” says Brown, “is not to just let free markets have their way, but to produce everything in the image of the free market.”

Brown calls this the “stealth revolution,” the transformation of the human being into nothing more than their economic value and the devaluation of democracy in the face of market forces and the will of the billionaire class.

What we lose by turning our government into a business determined by markets instead of democracy is the idea of equality as a fundamental principle, the unraveling of shared power, and the undermining of the people’s ability to determine a societies values and policies, says Brown.

Under this view, says Brown, there is “no space for democracy anymore… everything should be understood as markets…”

This brings me to Lenette Boiselle, representing the Northern RI Chamber of Commerce at a RI House Environmental committee meeting last week. Boiselle was at the hearing to oppose “one specific part” of a bill that, if passed, would give the voters of Burrillville the power to approve or reject any tax deals made by their town council with power plant companies.

“The Chamber of Commerce has a history of opposing any type of referendum,” said Boiselle, “whether it be a voter initiative or a referendum on a mall, a casino… as a fundamental principle, the Chamber of Commerce believes that these types of issues are extremely complicated…” When issues like this are decided by referendum, said Boiselle, “those who spend the most money usually win.”

Representative Aaron Regunberg then asked, “Money plays a big role in every election. Do you think we shouldn’t have any elections?” [4m55s]

Boiselle seemed to understand that saying democracy doesn’t work might be a bad move, so instead she told a story that sought to undermine democracy’s legitimacy. She gave an example of what she saw as the problems of voter referendums she worked on in Massachusetts.

Earlier that day Boiselle was at the Northern RI Chamber of Commerce breakfast that featured Invenerg’s director of development, John Niland, as the the speaker. Questions at this breakfast were written down by attendees on idea cards and submitted in writing to Boiselle, who carefully went through them to make sure that Niland was not hit with any questions that he was unprepared to answer.

This is the kind of protection from scrutiny private business concerns routinely employ. When we run our government like a business, we shouldn’t be surprised when our elected officials try to employ the same methods to protect themselves from scrutiny. This is why Governor Raimondo doesn’t want to go to Burrillville and talk directly to the people. This is why she goes denies APRA requests. This is why she makes trips to New York, or plans trips to Switzerland, but won’t say who she is talking to or why.

I’ll leave this with one final thought.

“Modernity brought us the idea that human beings, rather than nature, rather than Gods, and rather than tradition… could be in charge of their own lives, their own future, and could exercise freedom in coming together with others and deciding individually, how to live,” said Wendy Brown, “That was the promise of modernity.”

Let’s work together to forge a democracy that does not forget this.

June 3, 2016June 3, 2016

Camilo Viveiros, political protest and legal strategies

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powerful poster by Providence artist, Ian Cozzens, 2004

I didn’t know Camilo Viveiros until some years after he had been acquitted of all charges, after an intense 4 year legal battle, but I continue to be inspired by what he and others have gone through, putting their bodies on the line to protest systematic injustices.

In 2000, at the time working as a low-income tenant organizer in Southeastern Mass, Camilo and other activists went to Philadelphia for the Republican National Convention to protest poverty, the prison industrial complex, and the death penalty. The day he was arrested he was taking part in a march against police brutality, an issue that now, due to the brave actions of black activists and allies, the nation is finally somewhat waking up to, but at the time was still considered very controversial (at least by those who had not seen its effects first hand or with loved ones). Camilo faced spending the rest of his life in prison, charged with felony assaults against the police commissioner of Philadelphia, John Timoney, and accused of using a bicycle as a deadly weapon on a different police officer.

What happened was during a march Camilo was attacked by police, kicked and punched and his head slammed on the sidewalk until he was unconscious, detained and arrested, interrogated for 16 hours, threatened by correctional officers, denied access to medical attention for injuries from police assault, taken to a hospital after 3 days of requesting medical attention where officers (after the threat of a “joy ride” on the way there) were intimidating with Camilo every moment as he told the doctor how he had received the injuries from the police. He was put back in the prison, held in solitary for days, and accused on trumped up charges that would go on to affect the next 4 years of his life and beyond.

As more people increasingly are aware, it is a typical practice for police who commit brutality to charge those they assault with being violent or provoking a response, as a way to flip around the narrative, diminish sympathy for the victim and to cover up their own actions. During the protests hundreds of people were arrested as a part of state suppression of free speech, and while most charges were quickly dropped, others still faced serious charges, with Camilo getting the most severe charges of all the activists. They wanted to make an example of him and others, to other activists or would-be activists, that political dissent would not be tolerated.

But the case became an example of organizing against repression, with lessons learned from community organizing. People from across the country banded together in solidarity with those arrested in Philadelphia, and the groups formed included Love and Resistance in Providence and “Friends of Camilo” groups in Boston, San Francisco and Philly. In Providence, and elsewhere, local gatherings and fundraisers took place in the early 2000’s to help cover legal costs, which for working class people like Camilo were/are entirely unaffordable. Many people took part in the effort and it made an enormous difference in the outcome. A legacy of this community solidarity still exists in Providence, where the supportive social networks of Love and Resistance fueled the founding of groups like Recycle a Bike and Providence Books through Bars.

Thanks to massive grassroots support, after 4 years of fighting, Camilo was finally acquitted of all charges. As for Commissioner Timoney, he went on as a sort of professional crusher of dissent, first to Florida to repress opponents of free trade agreements, and later internationally to places like Bahrain where he was involved in offering strategy to suppress popular protests during the Arab Spring. If you have met Camilo in the past 10 years you may not be aware of this history, he doesn’t often bring it up, choosing instead to focus proactively on the many issues of current injustice. But I can see how he, like others who have been much more egregiously chewed up and spit back out by the “justice” system, still lives with the impact, and will for the rest of his life. I appreciate when now and again Camilo shares reflections from his experience, and that he remains dedicated, continuing as a community organizer and activist despite, and probably partly because of, the hardship he went through. He knows too many have been through much worse. He knows he is fortunate to be free and I can attest he spends every single day (really, 7 days a week) working to advance freedom and equality for those who are suppressed, oppressed, and born into systems of injustice.

I deeply admire all who have taken part in direct action, putting themselves at risk for the common good, an extra challenge in the days before social media when activist actions were much more isolated from public awareness and the lack of smart phones did not provide the security and documentation that today’s activists are able to utilize. And even though it was some years ago, there are many relevant lessons to be learned for current efforts toward social change, including the critical need for organizing beyond activism, and ways to collectively push for systems of inclusive justice that do not oppress us based on race, gender, class, ability, age, geography, language, religion, education, appearance, and on and on…

I hope some local friends can make it to an event tomorrow (Crashing the Party: Political Protest and Legal Strategies, Friday, June 3rd, 5-7pm, IWW Union Hall, 375 Smith St, Providence), thanks to the Rhode Island chapter of the National Lawyers Guild for coordinating this discussion around free speech and protest. There will be a chance to discuss strategy and practice with Kris Hermes who recently wrote a book about the legal collective that helped support many of the arrestees from the 2000 RNC protests, as well as attorneys with the RI National Lawyers Guild who play a critical role in offering support to social justice activists, and Camilo who will share his personal story and reflections. I truly believe in the effectiveness of protests, actions, and organizing. It’s the part they leave out of the history books sometimes, that speaking up for ourselves and for each other creates ripples that make waves that make this world better.

June 2, 2016June 2, 2016

Sheriff shortage affecting trial schedule at Licht Judicial Complex

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“[i]n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy trial”
– Sixth Amendment

“There is a shortage of sheriffs and it will affect trials in in the Licht Judicial Complex for the foreseeable future,” said Craig Berke, director of Community Outreach & Public Relations for the Rhode Island Judiciary.

Without enough sheriffs to manage defendants and provide security for the jury and witnesses, Judge Alice B Gibney, who manages the trial calendar and assigns judges, has limited “the number of active trials in the building to four.” This way Judge Gibney “can be assured of being able to operate those four trials at maximum efficiency with full coverage by the sheriffs.”

Fifteen judges or magistrates work in the Licht Judicial Complex, where the Superior Court has most of it’s courtrooms. One superior court judge works in the Garrahy Complex. Of those sixteen, eight judges are on the trial calendar.

“Security if the top priority, and the judges can’t sit if we don’t have enough sheriffs,” said Berke.

When not conducting trials, Berke says the judges will be busy with “pretrial conferences” and “they have plenty of decisions to write from cases they have already heard.”

Limiting the number of trials to four, says Berke, “is a better option and less disruptive than trying to run eight trials that may or may not have enough sheriffs on any given day.”

Burke, speaking for Gibney, was adamant that, “so far this has not affected a criminal defendant’s right to a speedy trial. If a bottleneck ensues, civil trials could be postponed in favor of criminal trials, but so far that has not been necessary.”

The number of sheriffs needed for a trial “varies depending on what type of case it is, whether there is a jury, and whether the defendant is in custody or free on bail,” said Berke. “Judge Gibney will not permit judges to take the bench without the requisite number of sheriffs in the courtroom.”

June 1, 2016June 1, 2016

ProJo’s coverage of stabbing ‘disrespectful and dangerous’

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When the Providence Journal first reported the story about a transgender woman stabbed early Saturday in South Providence, it not only reported her name, it reported her birth name. This is, in the words of Ethan Huckel, board president of TGI Network of RI, “disrespectful and dangerous, because it has the potential to out her as transgender.”

Huckel explained, “This is not only a violation of her privacy, but, depending on her personal circumstances, could jeopardize her safety.”

The ProJo corrected this lapse of judgement and the story no longer contains the victim’s birth name, but the click-bait titling of the story, which refers to the woman as a “transgender prostitute” is also problematic.

The ProJo provides no corroboration that the woman was a prostitute. The headline reports that “police say” the woman is a prostitute, but such a claim is both unsubstantiated and irrelevant. As Ethan Huckel again explains, referring to the victim as a prostitute “shifts the focus of the report away from the attack and insinuates that [the victim] is somehow responsible. TGI Network of RI urges the media to use restraint and critical thought when reporting on this assault.”

As a reporter I know how tempting it is to go for the easy, click bait headline, but the victim of this crime deserves our compassion and respect. She should not be reduced to an object, gratifying our salacious curiosity.

As of Tuesday the police were still working to determine if the attack was a hate crime. In deference to the victim’s privacy we have chosen not to link to the original story.

June 1, 2016June 1, 2016

Hearing tomorrow for Spectra Pipeline protesters arrested in Burrillville

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Three protesters who locked themselves to construction equipment at the site of a controversial pipeline project in Burrillville, RI are scheduled for disposition/Frye hearing on June 2, 2016 at the Rhode Island Superior Court in Providence.

In September, the trio used reinforced pvc pipe to attach themselves to construction equipment at Spectra’s fracked-gas compressor site as part of a growing resistance to the oil and gas corporations “AIM” expansion project. The expansion of the Burrillville compressor station is a key part of Spectra’s plans to transport gas extracted via fracking in Pennsylvania to natural gas export terminals in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada. The protesters were charged with misdemeanor trespass and disorderly conduct, the maximum penalty being 1 year in prison and $1000 fine. Spectra Energy is demanding $30,000 of restitution be awarded as part of the criminal case.

“Spectra is spewing toxic chemicals from their compressor stations, damaging communities with their pipelines, all to expand the fracking industry’s profits at the expense of public health, safety and the environment. Spectra should be the ones paying restitution for the real harm that they are causing” said Matt Smith, an organizer with Food & Water Watch and one of three defendants in the case.

Spectra’s “AIM” expansion has come under fire recently from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo as well as US Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, who have asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to halt construction on the pipeline’s New York segment over safety concerns. Of particular concern is a 2 mile stretch of pipeline that would push volatile compressed gas within feet of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant. Located just 30 miles north of Manhattan, Spectra’s pipeline expansion near the aging plant creates a situation that puts 20 million residents and the entire economics of the United States at risk. A Spectra pipeline which connects to Spectra’s “AIM” expansion exploded in Salem Township, Pennsylvania last month, creating a massive fireball that left a local resident with third degree burns over 75% of his body.

“These fracked-gas facilities are dangerous on many levels: they are accelerating climate change, constantly off-gas poisonous chemicals, destroying communities where the fracking occurs, and are one shoddy weld away from exploding,” says Keith Clougherty, a defendant in the case.

The Rhode Island portion of the “AIM” pipeline expansion involved doubling the size of an existing compressor facility in Burrillville. The project faced sustained resistance from state wide activists and local community members. In August Invenergy announced plans to build a 1000 megawatt power plant immediately adjacent to Spectra’s compressor station. The fracked-gas used at the plant would be delivered through Spectra’s pipeline system.

Opposition to the power plant has steadily grown in intensity since the project was first proposed. Last week hundreds of people rallied at the Statehouse in support of a bill that would give Burrillville residents the power to vote on any tax agreement negotiated between the town and Invenergy. That same week nearly two dozen national environmental and public health organizations sent a letter to RI Governor Gina Raimondo urging her to demonstrate real climate leadership by rejecting the fracked gas power plant proposal.

Recently Spectra announced plans to expand their Burrillville compressor station a second time as part of the “Access Northeast” project.

May 28, 2016September 16, 2016

Video: House testimony on Keable’s power plant bill

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The testimony on Cale Keable’s bill, H8240, which if passed will give voters in Burrillville the ability to approve or reject any tax treaty with potential power plants in their town, pitted town residents and environmental activists against business and labor concerns. In all 56 people testified on the bill during the five hours of testimony, 43 in favor and 13 in opposition.

Below is all the testimony, in order, separated by speaker.

01 Representative Cale Keable, who represents Burrillville, introduced the bill.

02 Jeremy Bailey, Burrillville resident

03 Lenette F. Boisselle, representing the Northern RI Chamber of Commerce, opposes the bill. Earlier in the day, Loiselle was at the Kirkbrae Country Club for the Northern RI Chamber of Commerce breakfest. At that event, all the questions for guest speaker John Niland, director of development for Invenergy, the company that wants to build the power plant in Burrillville, were submitted in writing. It was Boiselle who carefully sorted the questions, allowing Niland to only answer softball questions.

Boiselle took some tough questions regarding her opposition to the bill. The Chamber of Commerce, says Boiselle, “has a history of opposing any type of referendum… as a fundamental principle, the Chamber of Commerce believes that these types of issues are extremely complicated, that’s why we elect people to be in a position to be able to take the time to study the pros and the cons and determine whats in the best interest of whether it be the town or whether it be the state.”

Boiselle said that the Chamber has “no position on the power plant one way or another” and that if this bill is passed, whoever spends the most amount of money to advertise their positions will likely win.

The legislation, said Boiselle, in response to a question from Representative Michael Marcello, “could kill [a project] just by making it wait” until the next general election for the voters to decide.

Representative John Lombardi asked “what would be wrong with the town and the council having the last say in this. Is there a problem with that? You say you oppose that?”

Boiselle said that the time it takes to understand the pros and cons of complex issues is too great for voters. That’s why we elect representatives.

“I think its always good to engage the people,” said Lombardi.”It’s supposed to be a representative government, but sometimes it doesn’t end up that way. They don’t seak on the behalf of the people. I think this is a good process.”

“I’m just curious,” asked Representative Aaron Regunberg, “Money plays a big role in pretty much every election, do you think we shouldn’t have any elections?”

04 Jerry Elmer, senior attorney at the Conservation Law Foundation is strongly in favor of the bill.

05 Mike Ryan of National Grid opposes the bill, at least in part. They have no position on the part of the bill concerning voter approval of negotiated tax treaties.

06 Meg Kerr, of the Audubon Society, is for the bill.

07 Elizabeth Suever representing the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce opposes the bill. She seems to think that granting more democracy to Burrillville might make other municipalities want more democracy as well, which may slow down growth. Of course, Suever never uses the word democracy, because that would make her argument sound anti-American.

08 Paul Bolduc is a Burrillville resident.

09 Greg Mancini – Build RI

10 Paul Beaudette – Environmental Council of RI

11 Michael Sabitoni -Building Trades Council

12 Lynn Clark

13 Scott Duhamel – Building Trades

14 Peter Nightingale – Fossil Free RI

15 Roy Coulombe – Building Trades

16 Adam Lupino – Laborers of NE

17 Catherine

18 Paul McDonald – Providence Central Labor Council

19 Paul Lefebvre

20 George Nee AFL-CIO

21 Jan Luby

22 Richard Sinapi – NE Mechanical Contractors Association

24 Doug Gablinske Tech RI, The Energy Council

May 27, 2016

State House rally against Burrillville power plant disrupted by union members

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The State House rally against Invenergy‘s proposed fracked gas and diesel oil burning power plant became confrontational as counter-protesters, identifying themselves as Building Trades union members, disrupted the proceedings by holding signs in front of speaker’s faces and attempting to grab the microphone. The rally was planned by Keep Burrillville Beautiful, made up of Burrillville residents, who are “against the unnecessary industrialization of our town by the proposed power plant.”

The union members want the plant to be built because of the more than 300 jobs that will be created.

As Burrillville resident Jeremy Bailey took to the podium to speak, a man held a sign in front of his face, preventing him from being seen by my camera. Bailey took the sign out of his face and cast it away, immediately provoking an angry response from other union members. An attempt was made to grab the microphone away, Capitol Police moved in, and things became highly confrontational and chaotic.

You can watch some of it in the video below.

As near as I can determine, no arrests were made, and no one was asked to leave the State House. Up until that moment, the rally had been going as planned. Afterwards, several Burrillville residents complained about the behavior of some of the union members, saying they were “rude” and “showing their true colors.”

Speakers included Senator Paul Fogarty and Representative Cale Keable, who introduced a bill, H8240 which, if passed, would give the voters in Burrillvile the ability to approve or reject any tax treaty the town council negotiates with Invenergy. The bill was heard after the rally in the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. I’ll have another post later today with the testimony on the bill.

You can watch the first part of the rally below:

2016-05-26 Burrillville at the State House 025 — Representative Cale Keable

May 26, 2016May 26, 2016

Sound and fury over power plant at the Burrillville Town Council

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Wednesday night’s Burrillville Town Council meeting began on a cautionary note as Council President John Pacheco warned those in attendance against outbursts, threats or cursing. These meetings are recorded, said Pacheco. The last meeting went too far, said Pacheco, and anyone acting that way tonight will be asked to leave. “Keep it civil, please,” said Pacheco.

Pacheco also acknowledged a change of policy regarding public comment under the Open Meetings Act. At previous meetings the town council maintained that they were not allowed to respond to comments and that only items on the agenda were allowed during public comment. Tonight Pacheco agreed that neither of these conditions are required under the law. This meant that tonight’s meeting was much more robust with the town council now having to say that they don’t want to answer certain questions, rather than saying that they are unable to answer.

Residents of Burrillville are up in arms about Invenergy‘s proposed fracked gas and diesel-oil burning power plant planned for the town. The plant’s owners promise lower taxes but residents say it will bring noise and pollution, as well as destroy precious wildlife habitats. The town council has been slow to respond to resident concerns about the power plant, and many feel that Town Manager Michael Wood has been actively working to bring the plant to town, rather than working in the best interests of residents.

Civility was maintained, but the anger of town residents was clearly on display. It was revealed at this meeting that on Saturday a group of anti-Power Plant protesters were asked to leave the Farmer’s Market because of their signs, petitions and tee shirts. This directive, say residents, came from Town Manager Wood. When asked about this at the meeting, Wood said that he only told the police and Burrillville Farmers’ Market Association Market Manager Deb Yablonski to not allow signs, not petitions and shirts. Wood said there is a long standing rule against “politicking” at the farmer’s market.

(When RI Future called Wood’s office earlier in the day to discuss this, Wood was out of the office and did not return our call)

Barry Craig, a lawyer, asked that the Town Council “provide guidance to the town manager” on the First Amendment, including the right to free speech and assembly. Lauren Niedel, a resident of nearby Glocester, rose to object to the word “politicking” saying that opposition to the power plant is not a political campaign.

Burrillville resident Jan Luby rose to express her distrust of Town Manager Wood. “I don’t believe our Town Manager is with us on this,” said Luby, “You’ve lied to us and we’ve caught you in those lies.” Christopher Watson rose to say, “He does not like this town, he does not treat the people of this town with respect.”

It was Jeremy Bailey who brought the conversation about Michael Wood to a boil, calling the town manager “a cancerous tumor.” Noting that he has heard from many people that Town Manager Wood is a bully, Bailey told the people on the stage, which included the entire town council and legal counsel of the Burrillville, “I bet there are people on the stage right now who have been bullied by Wood.” Bailey asked that the town council pass a resolution removing Wood from power, buying out his contract if necessary.

The town council took no action on Wood’s contract.

Residents were also concerned that the evening’s “executive session” of the town council, where the public is not allowed to observe, was being called by Wood to fast track a tax agreement with Invenergy for the power plant, ahead of Representative Cale Keable‘s bill that would allow the voters of the town to approve or reject such a tax treaty. Though the executive meeting was called by Wood and did concern Invenergy, residents were assured that no such action would take place.

There were a multitude of interconnecting issues discussed at the town council meeting concerning both the power plant proposed by Invenergy and the LNG compressor station upgrade proposed by Spectra. The compressor station emits a constant noise, which occasionally becomes extremely loud. Loud enough that some residents receive notifications ahead of “blow offs.” Residents fear that the new power plant will add to the noise once constructed, never mind the noise from trucks delivering materials to the build site and the sounds of construction.

Kathy Sherman said that Spectra, in their own materials, acknowledges that they are above the town mandated limit of 55 decibels. During a blow off, where LNG is literally released into the atmosphere to relive pressure in the pipeline, the sound is great enough that Sherman feels it would have given her husband a heart attack if he wasn’t given ample warning. Blow off, said resident Stephanie Sloman, emits 45 thousand tons of LNG a year from that one compressor station in Burrillville.

Spectra plans to build a bigger (and presumably larger) compressor station there soon.

Nicholas Cook gave a demonstration of the noise levels heard by residents. The low tone generated by Cook is not heard well on the recording below, but the sound immediately annoyed town solicitor Oleg Nikolyszyn, who asked that the sound be turned off almost immediately. Imagine that sound lasting from 10pm to 4am, almost every night, said resident Kathy Sherman, who lives 2050 feet from the compressor station.

You can watch Nick Cook’s noise demonstration, and all the rest of the Burrillville Town Council meeting, at least those parts concerning the power plant, below.

May 26, 2016

Rally against Invenergy’s power plant at the State House, today at 3pm

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The battle over Invenergy‘s planned fracked gas and diesel oil burning energy plant for Burrillville reaches a fever pitch at the State House this afternoon, starting at 3pm as hundreds of Burrillvile residents hold a rally in the main rotunda announcing their opposition. This is ahead of Burrillville Representative Cale Keable‘s hearing for his bill, H8240 which would give the voters in Burrillvile the ability to approve or reject any tax treaty the town council negotiates with Invenergy.

The bill will be heard in the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources in the House Lounge at the rise (4:30- 5pm) and testimony is expected to be taken for hours. The committee is chaired by Rep Art Handy, a climate champion in our state. Keable’s bill is the only bill under discussion by the committee this evening. You can read about the particulars of the bill here.

Governor Gina Raimondo and House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, who have supported this plant from the beginning, will certainly be taking notice of not only the number of people who show up at this hearing from Burrillville, but how many people from around the state show up in support of this bill and against the power plant. Other legislators may need some help understanding why they should support this bill and oppose the plant, so think about contacting them.

Below you will find a wealth of pieces on this very important topic.

May 25, 2016May 26, 2016

Johnston is RI’s third city to stop enforcing aggressive panhandling law

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Johnston is the third city in Rhode Island to stop enforcing its aggressive panhandling ordinance after the ACLU of Rhode Island sent the city a letter threatening a lawsuit. Providence and Cranston did so earlier this year.

“The police chief made the decision not to enforce that ordinance at this time,” said Pawtucket/East Providence Senator Bill Conley, who is also the city solicitor for Johnston. “We’re going to look at how these cases play out in court and revisit the issue.”

The city agreed via a letter not to enforce the anti-panhandling law after receiving a letter from the ACLU.

“We believe that the Town ordinance raises significant constitutional concerns by impinging on the First Amendment rights of the homeless and the poor,” said the letter from ACLU Executive Director Steven Brown dated May 10. “In the past year, in fact, at least three courts elsewhere have struck down laws very similar to the Town’s “aggressive begging” ban. See Thayer v. City of Worcester, 2015 WL 6872450 (D. Mass. 2015); Browne v. City of Grand Junction,2015 WL 5728755 (D. Colo. 2015); and McLaughlin v. City of Lowell, 2015 WL 6453144 (D.Mass. 2015). The unsuccessful defense of these laws has come at great financial expense to those cities.”

ACLU volunteer attorney Marc Gursky hailed the city’s quick decision to suspend the law. “I commend town officials for acting promptly in recognizing their constitutional obligations and in saving taxpayers from the expense of an unnecessary lawsuit,” he said.

“I am optimistic that as municipalities are compelled not to criminalize homelessness and poverty, they will instead collaborate with constituents and other advocates on solutions to these issues, including affordable housing and adequate income supports,” said Megan Smith, an outreach worker with House of Hope, an organization that helps homeless people.

Conley said it would be up to the city council to repeal the law. He doesn’t think Johnston police officers will still enforce it. “If that happened I think the chief would remind that officer that department policy is not to do that,” he said.

Providence agreed to stop enforcing its aggressive panhandling law in February – a move that drew the ire of downtown business interests. Courts have recently struck down laws targeting aggressive panhandling, saying panhandling is constitutionally protected speech and noting other laws cover aggressive behavior.

The ACLU, in its press release, said, it “is engaged in ongoing efforts to challenge and repeal laws that disproportionately affect the rights of the homeless” but said no further actions are planned at this time. RI Future is researching whether other communities have such laws.

Correction: An earlier version of this post neglected to mention that Cranston stopped enforcing its aggressive panhandling ordinance.

May 25, 2016

Federal judge orders end to “Prison Gerrymandering” in Cranston school and city council districts

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In a precedent-setting ruling, U.S. District Judge Ronald Lagueux issued a decision today holding that the City of Cranston violated the one person, one vote requirements of the U.S. Constitution when it allocated the entire incarcerated population of the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) as “residents” of one ward of the City when it drew district lines for the City Council and School Committee following the 2010 Census. The ruling allows the City 30 days to present the Court with a new redistricting plan meeting constitutional requirements.

Today’s ruling, just the second of its kind in the nation, concluded that the City artificially inflated the population count of Ward 6, where the ACI is located, by treating all incarcerated persons as “residents” of the prison for redistricting purposes. Doing so, said the court, violates the rights of persons residing in other wards to equal representation as required by the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.

“I’m thrilled that our fight for equal representation has been successful,” said Karen Davidson, lead plaintiff. “Fairness in redistricting is a fundamental right and I’m glad that the court has vindicated our claims.”

At issue in the case was the City of Cranston’s choice to count the more than three thousand inmates at the ACI in a single city ward for the purposes of drawing City Council and School Committee districts. Plaintiffs argued this “prison gerrymandering” was improper because those incarcerated at the ACI are not true constituents of local elected officials, but instead remain residents of their pre-incarceration communities for virtually all legal purposes, including voting.

Judge Lagueux agreed with the plaintiffs’ claims, stating that “the ACI’s inmates lack a ‘representational nexus’ with the Cranston City Council and School Committee.” He noted that “Cranston’s elected officials do not campaign or endeavor to represent their ACI constituents,” and pointed out that that the majority of incarcerated persons cannot vote, and those who can are required by law to vote by absentee ballot from their pre-incarceration address.

Due to the questionable counting, persons at the only state-run correctional facility in Rhode Island account for 25% of Ward 6’s total “population.” According to Census Bureau data, without the incarcerated population, Ward 6 has only 10,209 true constituents. Yet those constituents now wield the same political power as the roughly 13,500 constituents in each of the other wards.

Cranston residents Karen Davidson, Debbie Flitman, Eugene Perry, and Sylvia Weber joined the ACLU of Rhode Island as plaintiffs in the case. They were represented in federal court by Demos, the Prison Policy Initiative, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the ACLU of Rhode Island.

“This is a big win for democracy,” said Adam Lioz of Demos, counsel for the plaintiffs. “Prison gerrymandering distorts representation and should no longer be tolerated. This decision should pave the way for other courts to address this long-standing problem.”

“We applaud the court’s decision requiring the City to correct its prison gerrymandering problem without delay,” said Steven Brown, executive director of the ACLU of Rhode Island. “It is time for Cranston to stop holding elections under a one-person, three-quarters of a vote regime.”

“Counting people at the ACI as constituents of Ward 6 officials made no sense,” said Aleks Kajstura of the Prison Policy Initiative. “They can’t use the park or library, attend a City Council meeting, or send their kids to public schools. And, even those who can vote must do so from their actual legal residence, not the prison location.”

“This ruling means that Cranston can no longer play games with our democracy by artificially inflating the political power of one district over another. People who are incarcerated should be counted as residents of the districts where they lived, not as so-called ‘residents’ of where they are involuntarily confined,” said Sean Young, staff attorney with the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project.

ACLU of RI volunteer attorney Lynette Labinger added: “The ACLU first urged the City to redraw its district lines four years ago in order to protect the rights of voters in the City’s five other wards. I am gratified that they should soon have their voices heard in equal measure with those in Ward 6.”

The case is Davidson et. al. v. City of Cranston. Plaintiffs’ complaint can be found here and their response to Defendant’s motion to dismiss is here. Judge Lagueux’s ruling is here.

[From a press release]

May 24, 2016May 25, 2016

RI State Council of Churches distributes signs with holiday message to RI Muslim Community

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The Rhode Island State Council of Churches (RISCC) invites all faith communities to post free lawn signs that say “To our Muslim Neighbors: BLESSED RAMADAN.” Ramadan is the month of the Islamic lunar calendar when Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. In 2016, it’s from June 6 to July 5. This annual observance is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is performed to learn compassion, self-restraint, and generosity.

“From the current political atmosphere to neighborhood hate crimes, we see negativity directed against Muslims. But this is not who we are in Rhode Island. When we are our best selves, we are a welcoming, caring, respectful community,” said Barbara Scott, the council’s president. “Signs on our front lawns is one positive way to demonstrate a caring spirit towards Muslim Rhode Islanders. We’re asking individuals, families and faith communities to place a ‘Blessed Ramadan’ sign near their front doors during the month of Ramadan as a gesture of witness and welcome.”

To get a free sign delivered to your address in Rhode Island, please email Paul Alexander with your contact information. The plastic signs are white with black type measuring 18 x 24 inches, similar to lawn signs used in political campaigns.

Other State Councils of Churches are now active in this effort of interfaith appreciation, including Minnesota, Ohio, Colorado, Arkansas, Kentucky and Washington State. Tennessee’s efforts are managed by Religions for Peace.

According to local Muslim scholars, one website is recommended to learn more about Islam. (Vocabulary nuance: Muslims are the people who practice Islam.)

The Rhode Island State Council of Churches, which will celebrate its 80th year of service in 2017, is a center for ecumenical conversation and interfaith dialogue between and among the faith communities of Rhode Island.

May 24, 2016May 24, 2016

Burrillville flipping the script on proposed power plant

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The people of Burrillville realize something about the the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB), that Margaret Curran, who chairs the board, does not. During Monday night’s public comment meeting, held to decide the fate of of Invenergy’s proposed fracked gas and diesel oil burning power plant, Curran several times tried to stop the crowd from rising and cheering and clapping when someone from the public made a particularly smart or heartfelt point during their five minutes before the board. Other times Curran would attempt to cut speakers off, even as the crowd became agitated and yelled, “Let them speak!”

“You’re taking time from other people by going over your time limit,” Curran would say, but Curran didn’t seem to realize that the community of Burrillville is united. Everyone who rose in opposition to the power plant speaks not just for themselves, but for everyone.

Burrillville itself is speaking through its people, and the Town is saying “No.”

This became very clear when Jennifer Bailey rose, and respectfully requested that her time be give the RI State Senator Paul Fogarty. Fogarty and State Representative Cale Keable have been publicly against this power plant for some time. Last week Keable introduced legislation that would make the approval of the power plant much less likely. Fogarty will introduce the Senate version of the bill today.

As Fogarty approached the podium, the crowd rose in a standing ovation. Fogarty noted the large crowd in the auditorium and the large crowds at previous events as proof that the citizens overwhelmingly don’t want the power plant.

“In all my time as State Senator from Burrillville, I can honestly say I have never seen the citizens come out so strongly and so passionately against something as they have against this proposed power plant.”

Fogarty also noted that the decision to site the power plant in Burrillville falls to “three people who don’t have a stake here.”

“One is from Barrington, one from Providence, and a third person literally just parachuted in from Bridgeport, Connecticut. Shaping the future of Burrillville should belong to the residents of Burrillville and no one else.” Parag Agrawal, the new Associate Director at the RI Division of Planning, and the third member of the EFSB, is from Bridgeport.

This earned Fogarty his second standing ovation. He received a third as he finished.

This is the second thing Margaret Curran doesn’t seem to understand about this phase of the proceedings that the residents of Burrillville have figured out. The EFSB comports itself as a quasi-judiciary body, carefully collecting and evaluating evidence, testimony and reports before rendering a final decision. Yet ever since Invenergy announced the plant with the strong and unwavering support of Governor Gina Raimondo, the building of the plant has appeared to be a done deal, and all the EFSB hearings have been seen as little more than political theater.

The residents of Burrillville, conscripted as actors in this this production, are changing the script even as the play is being performed. The production is going awry, and getting it back on course may prove to be impossible.

As Fogarty left the podium Curran noted that the next speaker, Jeremy Bailey, had spoken at previous meetings. “Didn’t you already speak?” she asked.

“I have a lot to say but I’m going to respectfully yield my time to our [State] Representative Cale Keable,” said Bailey.

Another standing ovation. Cable wore a green “No New Power Plant” shirt. Last week he introduced legislation in the General assembly that gave more power to the residents of Burrillville concerning any potential tax treaties their Town Council might negotiate with Invenergy. The legislation, if passed, would make the building of the power plant much less likely.

“We ask the board for one simple thing,” said Keable, “Please, let us alone.”

In all, 38 people spoke during the meeting. Five spoke in favor, 33 spoke in opposition.

David Esten spoke in favor.

John Scott brought up Flint MI., asking “What judge is going to authorize opening a poison well?”

“Governor Raimondo talks about tourism,” said Scott, “Our tourism is camp grounds.”

Ken Putnam Jr is about to be a great grandfather. He said, “I don’t talk like this. A lot of people can’t take the time out to come here. Kill this plant. We don’t need it.”

If Invenergy can’t get the date right for a flier, how are they to be counted on to build a power plant, asked Erin Olkowski.

Stephanie Sloman is an environmental engineer. She strongly believes in integrity. “I found a multitude of contradictions in Invenergy’s application… the plant will use natural gas as long as it is economically feasible. We know what this means… the plant wants to use 19 percent aqueous among a because at 20 it has to be monitored by the DEM.”

“When a monster comes into my house, I have to do everything in my power to slay it,” said Sloman, “my home is not just Burrillville, not just Rhode Island, or even the United States, my home is the world.”

Anita Bevans said Invenergy mislead the town when they said they would conform to local laws. In their application Invenergy said they would defer to state and federal laws.

Jaimie Tessier said that her morality was questioned at the first meeting when a union member said that she would sell out he home for money. Keeping her son, who has a medical condition that keeps him on a respirator full time, is her highest priority she says. “That’s where my morals are. Where are yours?”

“I voted for Gina Raimondo,” sais Frances DiPoiceglia noting they share a common heritage and upbringing, “but after a couple of years, I don’t think I’d vote for her again.”

“Fracking is not needed, and it’s not cool.” Says Frances DiPoisceglia. “We reject the Invenergy power plant.”

Judy Aubin said that she does her due diligence when she is on a board. “I know for a fact that you are over ruled by Gina Raimondo.”

Burrillville doesn’t need industry, said Aubin. The people live here because it lacks industry.

“These people wouldn’t mind a little raise in their taxes to avoid this power plant.”

“I am unaware of any environmental policies recommending the use of natural gas power plants,” said James Libby.

Terri Lacey asked how an area can go from environmentally spectacular and beneficial, as mentioned in a piece by RIDEM’s Janet Coit, to suitable for a polluting power plant.

Earl McWilliams believes that Invenergy has a series of plan B’s in mind for their power plant. He read the application to mean that Invenergy is not responsible for properly cleaning the MTBE water. Once built, if Invenergy needs more water, he sees the company tapping Wall Lake.

Brian Sclofield has a 4 year old daughter and 1 year old son and refuses to take on significant health risk to his children from the proposed plant. If the plant is built it’s not a matter of if, but when he will move.

Lawyer Barry Craig said Invenergy not assuming liability for the MTBE well when opened is grounds for dismissing the application.

“There isn’t a pipeline in this world that doesn’t leak,” said Craig, “We need eco-terrorism insurance in place… There is plenty of clean energy supply out there. There is no immediate need for this plant.”

Christopher Aubin recalled that Invenergy’s Director of Development John Niland said that last year was so mild he wouldn’t have needed to use oil. But diesel fuel breaks down. There’s no way it wouldn’t be burned. “You’re lying!” said Aubin.

“Big companies don’t care about the small people,” said Aubin, “Once you get this plant hooked up, John Niland, what’s your bonus?”

Kevin Frenette wanted to know if the EFSB can help people who are being impacted by these big energy projects. He managed to get Janet Coit to respond, but she still wouldn’t address his concerns.

“So we just get to tell you how we feel and that’s it?”

Meg Curran responded, by saying she can’t respond.

“Your time is up,” says Curran.

The crowd boos.

Leigh Gilbert is in favor of the plant and that said the town needs money, so the town needs the power plant. The crowd tells him to sit down.

Roy Colombe is for the project.

Greg Mancini, a lawyer for the Building Trades, said that many members won’t speak tonight because of the hostile environment created by the opposition. He mentioned the First Amendment and a chilling effect.

Andrew Hessler, 17 years old, said Gina Raimondo is all about fracked gas since Goldman Sachs wrote her a big check. She used to be for renewables. An impressive testimony.

Governor Raimondo, “has a chance to be on the right side of this issue,” said Burrillville resident and Teamster Ron Lizotte.

“My son was affected by MTBE I’m the water,” said Norman Desjarlais, “my grandson is on chemotherapy, which doctors have linked to gas additives.”

Paul Lander of the RI Carpenters Union is for this project, but he was very impressed with the Burrillville resident’s knowledge and passion. He says that we need to hold Invenergy’s feet to the fire.

Stacy Slekis objected to the power plant. She brought a picture from her daughter, asking the EFSB not to “mess up” our town.

Don Allen said if you could pick the worst place to place a power plant based on prevailing winds, Burrillville would be the worst.

“We’re vetting this Governor after the fact,” said Allen, “she has an agenda.”

Lisa Petrie, arrested at the State House protesting the Invenergy power plant, says the goals of the Resilient RI Act van’t be met if this power plant is built.

“We need dramatic cuts in our greenhouse gas emissions starting now, not ten years from now. Now,” said Petrie.

“Prisons create jobs. Wars create jobs,” said Lisa Petrie, “but we can create more jobs through renewable energy.”

“There is no such thing as a clean fossil fuel power plant,” said Mike Lamoureux, “You can tell by all the permits needed to build one.”

Chair Curran asked Paul A. Roselli not to speak, since he had spoken at a previous meeting. “If I had been told that before hand,” said Roselli, “I wouldn’t have put my name on the list. But since I wasn’t, I’d like to speak.”

Cynthia Crook-Pick wanted to speak plainly to the EFSB. The fact this board is the only body that can make this decision is against the principles of democracy and all that this country stands for, she said.

Debbie Krieg told of the battle to close the MTBE well, and worries that “this monster” will be unleashed when Invenergy uses the well water to cool the plant. There has been no site every cleaned up as Invenergy claims it can do.

New to this area, Ewa Roselli says she is really impressed with this community and she is eager to make friends. She asked Invenrgy, “Do you hate us? Why are you wanting to hurt us? How many people here would protest solar?”

“Nobody!” says the crowd.

Deborah Yablonski is from NYC but she’s a Burrillville farmer now. She raises chickens and goats. “I became a steward of the land.”

Thomas Trimble has a map that shows a nature corridor that runs from Canada to Burrillville. The power plant is right in the middle of this corridor.

Lynn Clark said the plant is being proposed for the heart of Burrillville’s forested area. It will have a “direct, negative impact.”

Justin Kelley, from the Painter’s Union, is a friend of mine. He supports this plant. “I’m the guy who looks in the workers eyes when they can’t pay their bills or are evicted from their homes.”

Donald Champiany read Invenergy CEO’S own words against him. Brilliant.

May 23, 2016

Elderly, disabled and homeless march on RIPTA

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Red Bandana Award winner Artermis Moonhawk lead a group of homeless, elderly and disabled people and allies carrying signs demanding that RIPTA re-institute the no-fare bus pass system. The protesters marched from McAuley House on Elmwood Avenue to the RIPTA Board of Director’s meeting on Melrose Street Monday afternoon. After the quarter mile walk the marchers were told that the board room was filled to capacity and that many people, including the elderly and disabled, might have to wait in the hallway for their turn to participate in the public comment portion of the meeting.

Peering into the room, one woman pointed out that there were still empty seats inside the meeting room. When told that the room’s occupancy had been reached at 40 people, she asked why there were more than 40 chairs then. No answer was immediately provided.

At issue is Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority‘s decision, per last year’s General Assembly budget, to do away with free bus fare for the elderly, disabled and homeless, and instead institute a 50 cent charge. While it is true that RIPTA’s free bus fare is generous, as Randall Rose testified before the House Finance committee, “We don’t have to be ashamed of who we are in Rhode Island. We don’t have to be ashamed that we’re more generous than other states because we’re doing the right thing…”

Even as Rhode Island seeks to do away with no-fare system, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board unanimously voted to approve a no-fare system for seniors and disabled. Similar systems exist in communities in Pennsylvania, Illionois, Oregon, Texas and Wisconsin.

May 20, 2016May 20, 2016

RI poll shows strong support for modest gun law reform

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Jerry Belair, President of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence (RICAGV) had hinted at the poll results during the recent rally against gun violence outside the State House, but yesterday the coalition released the full poll on Rhode Islander’s attitudes towards some common sense gun legislation currently under review by the General Assembly, and the numbers were staggering.

92% of Voters Support Restricting Possession of Guns by Domestic Violence Offenders
82% of Voters Support Restricting the Carrying of Concealed Guns in Elementary Schools
75% of Voters Support Limiting the Number of Bullets in Magazines to 10 Rounds

Remarkably, in Speaker Nicholas Mattiello‘s own district, the numbers for keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers is higher than the state wide pol, at 95%. Mattiello has an ‘A’ rating from the National Rifle association (NRA) and has been obstinately opposed to any proposed gun legislation. In the case of ethics reform, it took a disaster to change the Speaker’s mind. Is the Speaker waiting for another kind of disaster to occur before he gets behind common sense gun reform?

You can watch the full press conference below. The bills under consideration are: No Guns in Schools (H7243, S2761), Disarm Domestic Abusers (H7283, S2730, S2491) and the High Capacity Magazine Ban (H7199, S2835)

You can access the full poll here.

2016-05-19 RICAGV 09 — Rep Aaron Regunberg

May 19, 2016

Eastland Foods Inc workers successfully vote to unionize

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Workers at Eastland Food Products Inc voted overwhelmingly to unionize with UFCW Local 328. The vote Thursday was 74-37 in favor of the union. Last week there was a rally held outside the company, located in Cranston, to support the workers and protect them from anti-union intimidation.

There are employees at Eastland who have worked there for twenty years, and they’re still making minimum wage. Workers claim to have never been paid time and a half to work on Sundays. There are allegations of sexual harassment, wage theft, and 60 to 80 hour work weeks. No one working there has ever had a vacation or paid sick days.

With the power of a union, these workers will now be able to bargain for better pay, better working a conditions, and the right to be treated as people, not commodities.

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