PVD police union ad violates People’s Pledge

The People’s Pledge has been violated, said Common Cause RI Executive Director John Marion. And as a result, Gina Raimondo and Clay Pell are to make a donation to the charity of Angel Taveras’ choice.

The ad in question was an attack on Taveras, paid for by the Providence Fraternal Order of Police. Marion included it in this letter.

“It is my opinion that the advertising does indeed violate the terms of the Pledge,” said Marion, in an email. “I am not yet able to determine the cost of the advertising buy, and subsequently determine how much must be donated to charity.”

The Taveras campaign has asked the other two campaigns to donate to the Federal Hill House. “Federal Hill House is dedicated to enabling people from throughout the Greater Providence area achieve their potential by removing obstacles that hinder them,” according to its website.

Marion said this has been the only violation of the People’s Pledge in a letter to the candidates. “If this is the only violation of the Pledge we see in this primary election it will be a great success and something I think you should all be proud of having taken part in.”