Aquidneck Island Prepares For Weekend Protests

NEWPORT, RI — Two large Black Lives Matter protests are planned for Aquidneck Island this weekend. Both Bristol and Newport have voiced their support for the peaceful protests, which are some of the hundreds held across the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd.

The first protest is scheduled to be held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. community center Saturday. Organizers have been in touch with city officials and are not planning to hold a march or walk, the city said, and several speakers are planned.

"As a City, we fully support those who wish to exercise their Constitutional right to peacefully assemble and will do our part to make sure that any and all demonstrations are carried out in as safe a manner as possible," the city said in a statement. "[The organizers] are working with various community and law enforcement partners who will be doing everything we can to make sure the demonstration is as peaceful and inspiring as the organizers have envisioned."

Because of the protest's location, Newport police will attend for traffic control and keep attendees safe. Traffic detours may be required depending on the size of the crowd.

The other protest is set to be held at Colt State Park in Bristol at 10 a.m. The town's leaders released a statement condemning Floyd's death and voicing support for the demonstration.

"We believe that positive changes will help bring better understanding and improve our communities," the statement read in part.

Protest organizers plan to walk to Independence Park and "stand for change, justice and peace." Town leaders have worked with state and local authorities to make sure all attendees' rights to peacefully assemble are protected.

Gov. Gina Raimondo and Rhode Island Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott encouraged all protest attendees to take precautions: wearing a mask, social distancing as much as possible and self-monitoring for symptoms. Volunteers at the department will be on hand at large demonstrations to hand out masks to those who need them and provide public health information.

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