Anti-stadium groups keep the pressure on in Providence

Though he stopped short of calling this a victory lap, Tim Empkie, one of the leaders of the effort to keep the Pawtucket Red Sox in Pawtucket, prevent the use of public lands in Providence for a new stadium and prevent any public money from subsidizing a new stadium anywhere in the state, is optimistic that the battle is just about won…

…but the pressure needs to be kept on.

In a rally at the corner of Hope St and Doyle Avenue in Providence, 25 people turned out over the course of two hours to hold signs in an event that was described as not “a protest of any kind, just outreach the public!”

At least three anti-stadium groups, from a variety of political perspectives, were represented at the rally, spurring organizer David Norton to exclaim on Twitter, “Unite the Clans!!!”

A similar rally held last week had just five participants. Organizers hope for even more participation next Tuesday at 4:30. They see signs that Governor Gina Raimondo‘s position on the stadium is evolving, and at least one of the signs echoed a new talking point out of her office, “Take a fresh look at Pawtucket.”

“This effort goes beyond baseball,” said Tim Empkie. “It’s not about just one stadium. It’s about the use of public money for the public good.”