Raimondo: Providence Violence Not 'Who We Are As Rhode Islanders'

PROVIDENCE, RI — Gov. Gina Raimondo said she is "disheartened" by violence that erupted in the city Monday night, resulting in dozens of arrests and untold damage to businesses trying to rebound from the coronavirus crisis.

The National Guard was activated to aid police in the coming days. The call to the Guard came the morning after people roamed the streets of Providence, looting stores, lighting fires and attacking police. More than 200 people stormed the Providence Place mall.

"I stand before you disheartened, dismayed at what we saw here last night in the city of Providence," Raimondo said at a Tuesday morning news conference.

She thanked those who protested peacefully, but said those who marred the gatherings will be held accountable.

"I know you’re hurting today, everyone in Rhode Island is hurting today," she said. "It’s impossible not to feel pain."

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza was adamant that the violence not distract people from the issues at hand.

"Let’s not forget the important, difficult community conversations that need to take place to address racism in all of its forms," he said.

Earlier Tuesday, Elorza condemned the violence.

"Last night’s incidents were devastating for our community who has already experienced so much unrest and pain," the mayor said. "Violence is never the answer and we need collective action — one that is productive, not destruction of our small businesses, who have been impacted so much already and by putting others safety at risk."

Elorza decried the violence, saying the demonstrators gathered intentionally and were "out to cause trouble." More than half of those arrested were from Providence, along with five people from Massachusetts. The rest were from other towns in Rhode Island.

The mayor said that Providence police heard "chatter" that violence was planned at the Providence Place mall on Monday night. In response, the mall was closed three hours earlier than usual and extra police were called in. After several hours of quiet, several hundred people converged on the building.

Between 200 and 300 people stormed the mall around 11:30 p.m., "overwhelming" dozens of police officers, according to Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare. Approximately 75 to 100 were successful and began breaking glass and looting stores. About a dozen stores were damaged, Pare said, adding the looters were quickly driven out to Francis Street by law enforcement and none were able to get back in.

Video posted by a bystander from outside the mall showed the chaotic scene:

Approximately five Providence police cruisers were damaged throughout the night, including one that was set on fire, Pare said. Four to five Providence officers and four to five Rhode Island State Police officers suffered minor injuries, Pare said.

Pare said the department was "as prepared as we could be" and remains on alert for more violent demonstrators. It's important to find a peaceful solution, he said.

"We need to reach them and have a conversation," Pare said.

Elorza praised the response of local police, saying that without their efforts, there would have likely been far more damage in the city.

"Our police showed the true professionals they are," he said.

Other police departments, including Cranston, Pawtucket, North Providence, Woonsocket, Massachusetts State Police and more were called in to assist and stopped many people who were trying to set buildings on fire, Elorza said.

The outsburts are a sharp contrast to Saturday, when hundreds of peaceful protesters gathered at the State House in response to the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after being pinned to the ground by a police officer. Gov. Gina Raimondo and other state officials praised the demonstration for remaining nonviolent as riots raged across the country.

"It made me proud to be a Rhode Islander," Raimondo said Monday.

Sabina Matos, president of the Providence City Council, said the black community does not condone Monday night's violence and urged Rhode Islanders to keep the peace.

"We're not going to support the destruction of our city," Matos said.

Elorza said he spoke with Gov. Raimondo Tuesday morning and is coordinating with both Rhode Island State Police and Providence police to determine the next steps. A curfew is on the table, he said, but he flatly refused to call in the military, as President Donald Trump recommended to state leaders Monday.