A Plea For Calm Amid 4th Night Of Providence Protests

PROVIDENCE, RI — A fourth night of Providence protests saw police blocking streets on Federal Hill from dozens marching against the department's response to an officer-involved crash believed to have been between a cruiser and Jhamal Gonsalves that left the 24-year-old moped driver in a coma.

As diners sat out on Atwells Avenue Friday night, police blocked streets and tried to steer protesters away from the weekly "Al Fresco on the Hill" restaurant event.

Gonsalves remained in a coma Friday night, according to family, after he was rushed to the hospital on Sunday. The crash came amid an apparent attempted police crackdown on moped drivers numbering in the hundreds buzzing through city streets.

While protests became confrontational throughout the week — leading to dozens of arrests — Friday night's protest was largely peaceful with marchers demanding "an end to police terror" and urging an investigation into the police's role in the crash, as officers blocked streets in riot gear, according to WPRI-TV.

Jaylon Butler, Gonsalves's cousin, who was arrested during Tuesday's protest after he said he suffered a seizure, posted a message on social media asking for calm in the streets and repeated that call Friday night near Federal Hill.

"Just more understanding between both sides," Butler told reporters. "It shouldn't even be all about protesting. Protesting has become a familiar thing, and everyday thing. People wake up in the morning to come outside with picket signs, face masks and loud horns. I just feel like it's never really going to be back to normal. But we can bring it close."

Protesters chanted: "Move aside so we can continue our march!" at police blocking streets. But family members urged the protests remain non-violent and non-destructive in the area.

"A lot of people use these protests as an excuse to riot," Butler said. "I never saw the point in that."

Video posted on social media from the crash shows a cruiser, which Providence police said was driven by Kyle Endres, following Gonsalves down Elmwood Avenue before turning onto Bissell Street. Gonsalves veered off the road with witness video showing him slamming into a building, according the station.

Peaceful protests in the ensuing days and nights devolved into confrontation after nightfall with Providence police reporting several arrests.

Police increased their presence on the streets Thursday night with a large response near the city line between Providence and Cranston.