“There have been 6 or 7 shootings in and around the Pence Park area in Pawtucket,” said Melissa Darosa, a streetworker for the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence, “and that’s just what’s been reported.”
Melissa and fellow streetworker Tara were joined by #300Women representatives from Providence and local community members at the corner of Jefferson and West Avenues in Pawtucket, across the street from two convenience stores and almost across from the Oaklawn Community Center, to lock arms for peace and to take a stand against violence in the community. The area has become a hangout for kids.
“These are good kids, they aren’t bad kids,” said Melissa, “they just need guidance. They just need more tender loving care.”
As the small group gathered around, Pawtucket Police cruisers drove past slowly. They did not interfere.
Some people who live in the neighborhood joined in, calling the kids from across the street at the stores to join them in locking arms and calling for peace. All of the kids demurred. “I can’t lock arms with him,” said one boy, about 14 years old. He didn’t want to appear in any way to be less manly. Women offered to let the boy between them but he answered, “Nah.”
Pawtucket has been plagued by a string of shootings in this area. So far, no one has been killed. Mary Gray, a Pawtucket City Councillor, was on hand. This is her district, and she’s been working to get Mayor Grebien more involved. Part of the solution is the Midnight Basketball League.
Diana Garlington, of #300Women, explained that the League gets kids off the streets, but also gets them to a place where they can hear better messages.
“The Midnight League is not about guys playing basketball,” said Melissa, “It’s a way to capture everybody’s ear that we can do better.”
The league had a game scheduled for the park that evening, but due to rain it was being moved indoors.
People looking to help end the violence should contact the Institute, or contact Anchor Recovery. People are looking for jobs and job training opportunities. If you can’t offer jobs, money could help.
Meanwhile, the effort to save our kids from violence continues. “We need to come together and save them,” said Melissa DaRosa, “before we end up having a grieving family and have to bury somebody else.”
Lisa Scorpio announced her candidacy for State Representative today in House District 13 – Providence/Johnston.
“I’ve spent most of my life right here in this community.” said Scorpio, who works as an executive assistant in the Providence School System. “My grandparents immigrated to Silver Lake in the early 1900’s from Italy and I’ve always felt it was important to live here. To make sure my children thought of this place as home. I’ve worked for years to help this community grow and adapt. I’ve stood arm and arm fighting for the change we need. I’m running now to take that fight to the State House.”
Scorpio went on to paint a progressive vision for government, “I believe we need a government that is looking out for the people of Rhode Island. A government that works to make sure our streets are safe, that those who work a full week are not living in poverty, a government that confronts the problems of today. We need to pass common sense gun legislation, we need to raise the minimum wage, and we need more than anything to make a real investment in our children and our schools.”
Scorpio continued, “I’ve been serving in the Providence School system for 24 years, right here in the district for 7 years. We need to make sure our children are prepared for the future and that we act early to make sure they are taken care of. Education is key to so much of life and it’s our responsibility to make sure everyone has access.”
Regardless of the ruling in his case, Scorpio feels Carnevale’s time has passed, “We need new voices at the State House. We need representatives who aren’t so weighed down by controversy. The work a representative does, and the votes they take, should be the story and not whether they will or will not be going to jail. A representative should be concerned with helping their constituents first and foremost and know when they have become more of a distraction than a help.”
Scorpio lives off of Sterling Ave in Providence with her son. She attended RIC and graduated from Katherine Gibbs. She works as an Executive Assistant in the Providence School System, is a co-founder of #300women, and is a board member on numerous community organizations.
[From a press release]
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Dozens of residents came out for peace in South Providence, near the intersection of Broad Street and Elmwood Avenue, locking arms and chanting against violence in the community. “Lock Arms for Peace” was organized by Diana Garlington, a resident of South Providence, mother and peace activist. This effort, said Garlington, is to raise awareness “about peace and unity, no matter your culture or background.”
Garlington sees the violence on the streets as “a state issue, not just here in Providence.
“We’re not sitting around waiting for our police department or our mayor or someone else to stand up,” said Garlington to the crowd, “We need to stand up. These are our children. These are all of our children.”
Dozens attended the action, and many passersby joined in as they saw what was happening.
