The Warwick Progressive Democrats started a new book discussion group about social & economic justice. The group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month in the small meeting room at the Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick, RI 02889 for 6 PM to 7 PM. The group welcomes any member of the general public to attend for a lively discussion of these books.
“I tried to pick books that were both thought provoking and a good read,” states Jennifer Siciliano, the City Coordinator of the Warwick Progressive Democrats. Ms. Siciliano hopes that people will be motivated to not only read more, but broaden their understanding of diverse groups. “I tried to pick a variety of books that include economic, gender and racial justice. I’m particularly looking to add good books on LBGTA justice for the schedule.”
The next book for discussion on March 24, 2016 will be The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. The next books scheduled will be the Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein on April 28, 2016, A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power by Jimmy Carter on May 26, 2016 and Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates on June 23, 2016. Anyone in the group has the opportunity to suggest new books to read.
If someone is interested in participating in these book discussions, they can pick up the current read for check-out at the reference desk of the Warwick Public Library. Then they can show up at the given time and discuss. The event is also posted on the Warwick Progressive Democrats Facebook page.
[From a press release]
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Corrente’s campaign has been an all around unorthodox one. He began campaigning for mayor last December, with almost two years until the next election. Corrente has also released a publication called “Warwick Taxpayers News,” which some believe suggest that he may align more with the Tea Party, rather than the Democratic party. The first page reads that Warwick is “Taxed Enough Already,” stylized to spell out the word “TEA.”
His main objection to current Mayor Scott Avedisian’s administration is that he has raised taxes every year for the past 15 years. Because of this, Corrente said, Warwick has lost 5,800 taxpayers in the last ten years, and has closed 4,666 businesses.
“If we keep going the way we’re going, we’re going to be a ghost town in six or seven years,” he said. “I disagree with that. I don’t think that’s the way it should be. I want to cut taxes, I want to cut spending, and I want to repopulate the city of Warwick so that we don’t have 9,000 people in our schools when we used to have 19,000.”
Corrente is dedicated on running for the Democratic ticket, even though some doubt that he’s actually a Democrat, and would effectively represent the party.
“We need to elect a mayor of Warwick who is a Democrat, […] but it’s important that Warwick have a Democratic mayor, and a Democratic mayor who cares for Democratic values,” Sam Bell told meet and greet attendees. Bell then proceeded to read Corrente’s publication aloud, blatantly stating that it does not align with progressive Democrat values.
“I believe in Democratic values. I think it’s an embarrassment that Warwick has a so- called Democratic candidate for mayor, who, inside his booklet for a fundraiser, says “TEA” as his slogan. We don’t need a Tea Party Democrat,” Bell said after the meeting. “It epitomizes everything that’s wrong with the Rhode Island Democratic Party. I think that a city like Warwick, which has some decent Democrats on the council, can do a lot better. It’s an embarrassment, and I want the folks in Warwick to know that. Warwick needs a better Democrat running for mayor.”
Jennifer Siciliano, the Warwick Progressive Democrats Coordinator, was also somewhat perplexed by Corrente’s campaign.
“He should probably be running as a Republican, but he probably assumes that Avedisian will get the Republican nomination, so he’s just trying to run as a Democrat,” she said.
“I’ve seen conservative Democrats but not this far conservative,” she added. “I think its beyond conservative.”
Even with the criticism, Corrente not only remains positive, but adamant about running as a Democrat. When asked exactly what a “Tea Party Democrat,” was, he said, “a progressive Democrat.”
“I consider myself a progressive Democrat,” he said. “I want to do what’s right. Whether it’s raise taxes or lower taxes, and in this case it’s lower taxes.”
Corrente added that he doesn’t believe in TEA, but rather TBARD, which stands for “Taxed Beyond All Reason.” He believes that Warwick taxpayers are at a point where they are unable to pay the taxes, and will move away from the city.
His reasoning for running as a Democrat can be boiled down to the fact that he doesn’t believe in labels, but thinks that one is necessary for such a situation.
“I am running as a Democrat, because although I am fiercely independent, if I had to pick a party, it would be the Democratic Party,” he said.
“I don’t believe in labels. I don’t believe in Republican labels or Democratic labels. I don’t believe that if you are striving for a certain principle, it makes you a Democrat, or it makes you a Republican,” he added. “I consider myself progressive, and I consider myself a Democrat.”
Corrente said he would not entertain the idea of running as an independent because he believes a candidate is more respected if they belong to a particular party, and have a label they can be associated with.
“A candidate that belongs to the Democrats or the Republicans has a personality that can be associated with. It labels them a little bit more- they stand for something. Therefore, I think the independent voter will respect a candidate more, if they are represented by the Democrats or the Republicans,” Corrente said.
Warwick’s mayoral election is still over a year away, but if Corrente does succeed in winning the Democratic ticket, he’ll be fighting an uphill battle against Mayor Avedisian, who has been mayor since 2000.
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Want to rub elbows with Congressman Jim Langevin? Maybe you’d like to meet gubernatorial candidate Clay Pell? Or perhaps you want to talk to legislative candidates David Bennett, Joe Shekarchi, Nick Denice, Joseph Solomon Jr., or Jennifer Siciliano?
If so, they will all be at the Warwick Public Library tonight at 5:30 for the Warwick Progressive Democrats second annual Meet & Greet.
Here’s the Facebook event, and here’s the full release we sent out:
]]>The Warwick Progressive Democrats, an affiliate of the RI Chapter of the Progressive Democrats of America (RIPDA), is proud to host its second annual Meet & Greet for officeholders, candidates, and voters! All candidates are welcome to attend, whether or not they have been endorsed by RIPDA — the focus of this event is on the discussion and advancement of ideas through promoting candidates speaking directly with Rhode Island voters and residents. Candidates attending include Congressman Langevin, gubernatorial candidate Clay Pell*, State Representatives David Bennett (D-20)* and Joe Shekarchi (D-23) and State Rep candidates Jennifer Siciliano* Joe Solomon Jr. (both D-22), and Nick Denice (D-26), along with members of and candidates for Warwick City Council.
Meet us in the Large Room of the Warwick Public Library on Thursday, August 21 starting at 5:30 to speak one-on-one with candidates for office while enjoying pizza from Cosmic Pizza (donated by Rep. Shekarchi) and refreshments. This is a free event, not a fundraiser or endorsement hearing, and all are welcome to attend. Bring your friends and family!
The top priority for the Warwick Progressive Democrats is creating well-paying jobs for Rhode Islanders through raising the minimum wage and better distributing the tax burden. Democratic candidates appearing on ballots in Warwick will receive an introduction and our thanks should they be willing to fill out a questionnaire. A copy of the questionnaire will be available to view at the event.
*An asterisk indicates that these candidates have been endorsed by RIPDA. Please note that the Warwick Progressive Democrats does not have a PAC and will not endorse candidates in 2014, and that RIPDA, with its own PAC, has its own endorsement process. This event should not be construed as an endorsement – all candidates will be given equal opportunity at this event.
More information is available on our Facebook events page: https://www.facebook.com/events/717030501667044/
I hope that you can join us at our meet & greet!
Best Regards,
Jeremy Rix
City Coordinator, Warwick Progressive Democrats
The Warwick Progressive Democrats will be holding and promoting a series of non-partisan neighborhood meetings this summer, to increase Warwick residents’ access to local politics through speaking directly with their city councilors, state reps, state senators, school committee members, and other officeholders. In preparation for these neighborhood meetings, we are proud to host a meet & greet and volunteer training event.
The meet & greet, beginning at 1:30, provides a networking opportunity for volunteers and officeholders, and an opportunity for officeholders to discuss and coordinate their availability. Maps will be available to show which precincts are shared. The volunteer training, beginning at 3:00, provides the “how to” knowledge which volunteers will need, and will answer questions on requirements for the community organizing internship program. All are welcome to attend the training, whether they are considering volunteering for a few hours, or the fifty hours required to qualify for the internship program, as approved by the Roger Williams University: School of Law office of career development. While any amount of time volunteered is welcome, all who properly log fifty or more hours, through a combination of promoting, setting up, or other work towards the neighborhood meetings, qualify as completing the Warwick Progressive Democrats’ internship program.
All interested in volunteering, as well as all Warwick officeholders who wish to be invited guests at a non-partisan neighborhood meeting, are welcome to attend. Party pizza (bakery style pizza) from Cosmic Pizza will be provided. Please RSVP here on facebook to help provide an accurate count: https://www.facebook.com/events/575570709140366/
We also welcome you to like our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Warwick-Progressive-Democrats/600028130013952
This event is in the Warwick Public Library’s “Large Meeting Room” (directly off the main hall when entering the library) on Saturday June 1, from 1:30-4:00. (Meet & Greet 1:30-3, Volunteer Training 3-4.) We hope to see you there!
Jeremy Rix
City Coordinator, Warwick Progressive Democrats
The Warwick City Council last night became the latest to endorse marriage equality. By doing so, the Council joins a very long list that includes mayors, municipalities, churches, religious leaders, the governor, the House of Representatives and a majority of Rhode Islanders. In other words, pretty much the entire state except the Catholic Church and the state Senate.
“We deeply appreciate the Warwick City Council’s endorsement of the marriage equality legislation sponsored by Senator Nesselbush,” said Ray Sullivan, the campaign director for Rhode Islanders United for Marriage. “Along with similar resolutions from the Providence and East Providence councils, and the support of the mayors of Central Falls, Cumberland, North Providence, Pawtucket, Providence and Warwick, this is a powerful demonstration of strong grassroots support for allowing all loving, committed couples the freedom to marry in our communities.”
Thanks in part to a strong outreach effort by the Warwick Progressive Democrats, a new liberal coalition in the West Bay city, the Council unanimously adopted the resolution.
This is a great day for Warwick,” said Jeremy Rix, the city coordinator of the Warwick Progressive Democrats. “A unanimous city council has resolved that all people, regardless of sexual orientation, are entitled to the legal rights and social recognition of marriage, and urges the passage of Senate Bill 38. Thank you to the city council, the dozens who attended and shared personal stories and information on legal rights, and all who have contributed toward this moment through acts as small as discussing the need for equality with a previously unconvinced acquaintance.”
According to the Providence Journal, some 70 people showed up for the debate. For comparison, the local media highlighted that some 100 people attended a hearing on the master lever at the State House last week.
The ProJo reported on Monday that the state Senate may soon leave the Catholic Church as the last big local institution to oppose same sex marriage – or, at least, Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed said she would allow the issue to come up for a vote this month.
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The WPD is the first subgroup of the popular Rhode Island Progressive Democrats.
Here’s the invitation from the group’s Facebook page:
Our initial meeting will be a good time, as we want people coming back! Order a drink or an appetizer. Bring your friends, and meet other people who are interested in state and local politics. Casual dress is fine, and feel free to stop by after 7.
Please RSVP. If more people RSVP than I originally estimated on the reservation, I’d like to inform the venue. Thank you!
Stay tuned for more information on the Warwick Progressive Democrats’ internship program, and the work we’ll be doing across Warwick this summer!
