Occupy Providence

Occupy Providence
Part of the "Occupy" protests

Demonstrators camping at Burnside Park, 19 November 2011
Date 15 October 2011 – present
(5 years, 62 days)
Location Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Causes Economic inequality, corporate influence over government, inter alia.
Methods Demonstration, occupation, protest, street protesters
Status Ongoing
Arrests and injuries
Injuries 4 (Fights)

Occupy Providence began on Saturday October 15, 2011. According to the Boston Globe, well over 1,000 demonstrators, including children and adults of various ages, peacefully marched through the capital city before setting up camp at Burnside Park in downtown Providence, RI and turning the park into a public "outhouse." The march made its way through the streets of downtown Providence, pausing outside such institutions as Bank of America, Providence Place Mall, and the Statehouse.[1]

Finally, in January 2012, Occupy Providence agreed to suspend its 24-hour-a-day protest.[2]

As of March 2012, Occupy Providence had continued to engage in organized meetings, events and actions.[3]

Background and aims

Occupy Providence is one of over 4000 "Occupy" protests across the globe to be inspired by Occupy Wall Street (which began in New York City on September 17, 2011). According to the official Statement of Purpose as published on the Occupy Providence website on October 24, 2011, participants seek socioeconomic change “by means of a truly democratic General Assembly.” The "Occupy" protests are concerned with furnishing an alternative to corporate and lobbyist-driven politics and with building "a society by, for, and of the people.” Occupy Providence is “non-violent, non-destructive, non-discriminatory and harassment-free” and prohibits all drugs and alcohol from the site of the occupation.[4]

Cooperation with City officials

Though a group of protestors met with Providence’s Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare and other city officials on Thursday October 13, 2011, they decided to decline a city permit to inhabit Burnside Park.[1] More than 100 tents were erected within the first week of Occupy Providence, despite some verbal pressure from city officials for a definitive exit timeline.[5]

At the outset of the demonstration, city officials showed cooperation with the Occupy participants as police cleared traffic for the October 15th march and General Assembly. No arrests or acts of violence have been reported to date.[1]

On October 24, 2011 Occupy Providence activists staged a public reading of a letter to Providence Mayor Angel Taveras. The letter, made audible using the human microphone system, thanked the Mayor for his cooperation thus far and requested that the protest be allowed to carry on in Burnside Park.[6]

Many Occupy Providence participants that have been interviewed by the press state having no intention of leaving the park, while others are considering moving to another location.[7] On October 26, 2011 the Boston Globe reported Steven Pare’s announcement that the city will consider taking legal action if protestors refuse to end the encampment. Pare cited concern for public health and safety and an ordinance prohibiting use of public parks past 9pm as grounds for action.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 ""Occupy" Group Setting Up Camp In Providence, Rhode Island". Associated Press. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  2. ↑ http://www.gcpvd.org/2012/01/24/occupy-providence-to-vacate-burnside-park-after-reaching-agreement-with-the-city/
  3. ↑ "Occupy Providence". Occupyprovidence.com (Official website). Retrieved March 3, 2012. External link in |publisher= (help)
  4. ↑ "Official Statement of Purpose". Occupy Providence. 25 October 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  5. ↑ "Occupy Providence Members Say They Won't Budge". WLNE-TV. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  6. ↑ "Open Letter to the City". Occupy Providence. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  7. ↑ Plain, Bob (26 October 2011). "Occupy Providence considers moving from Burnside Park". WPRO (AM). Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  8. ↑ "City to ask Occupy Providence to leave". Associated Press. 26 October 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.

Additional sources

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