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« April 28, 2006 | Today | May 2, 2006 » May 1, 2006Rallyblog photo: Fulfilling their mission
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 6:46 PM | Comment Rallyblog: 'We want to breathe air of freedom'PROVIDENCE -- Up the hill past Providence Place mall, to the grassy lawn in front of the State House and, finally, onto the building's white marble steps, demonstrators marched today in a big, but united, call for immigration reforms. Speakers talked in English and Spanish, with translators on hand to help. Juan Garcia, head of the Immigrants in Action Committee, exhorted the cheering crowd late this afternoon, saying, "We want to be able to breathe the air of freedom." "We are hardworking, we are not asking for anything for free, " he added. Garcia also issued a warning to politicians: "I want you to remember with your vote you have the destiny of our people in your hands." Later, Yvette Luna, of Ocean State Action, told the crowd in Spanish: "We are going to vote, we are going to register, we are going to support the politicians who only support immigration reform.'' The march on the State House was the third event organized in the city today as demonstrators joined a nationwide call to find a path to citizenship for the country's illegal and undocumented immigrants. -- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:43 PM | Comment Reed backs Whitehouse in race for Chafee's seatWARWICK -- U.S. Sen. Jack Reed joined Democratic U.S. Senate aspirant Sheldon Whitehouse today for the first of what Reed said will be many campaign appearances across the state as Democrats focus on the Rhode Island campaign in the party's quest to win control of the Senate. Reed and Whitehouse spoke to a gathering of about 40 elderly residents of the Greenwich Village elderly housing complex in Warwick, then did interviews with local media to stress their intent to work together to try to wrest the seat now held by U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee from the GOP. "I am particularly pleased and proud to be with my dear friend ... Sheldon Whitehouse,'' Reed said, in endorsing his candidacy. "I will do all I can to make sure he gets elected to the United States Senate.'' Chafee faces a pincer -- a primary challenge from Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey, a conservative, and if he survives the primary, a general election attack from the left from Whitehouse, who has been all but anointed as the Democratic nominee. More in tomorrow's Journal and on projo.com ... -- Journal staff writer Scott MacKay Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:04 PM | Comment Rallyblog: School absence rate soars in ProvidencePROVIDENCE -- About 40 percent of Providence's 24,800 students did not attend school today, despite two taped phone messages from Supt. Donnie Evans. School spokeswoman Maria Tocco said, in addition to 42 percent of middle school students and 46 percent of high school students, 13 bus drivers and a similar number of bus monitors did not show up for work this morning, delaying the arrival of some children to school. -- Journal education writer Linda Borg Posted by at 4:56 PM | Comment Rallyblog: Line of marchers converging on City HallPROVIDENCE -- Marchers calling for immigration reforms filed down Broad Street toward City Hall, 10 to 15 abreast, this afternoon, in a line that took 29 minutes to pass one observer. The crowd continued to swell as it headed to its final destination of the State House, but it remained peaceful. As the wind whipped flags and blew dirt into faces, some passing cars beeped at the marchers, and the few watching pedestrians smiled and waved. Although organizers had warned the group to ignore any racial slurs that might be thrown their way, a reporter on the scene had not observed any such behavior. While projo.com has not yet been able to get an official estimate of the crowd's size, it appears to have grown into the thousands. -- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:52 PM | Comment Skakel lawyers ID 2 men implicated in killingSTAMFORD, Conn. -- Attorneys for Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel, who is serving 20 years to life in prison for the 1975 murder of a Greenwich teenager, today identified two men they say have been implicated in the killing. Skakel, a nephew of Ethel Kennedy, is seeking a new trial based on a claim by Gitano "Tony" Bryant, a cousin of basketball star Kobe Bryant, that two of his friends killed 15-year-old Martha Moxley. Skakel's attorneys identified the two men in court papers as Adolf Hasbrouck of Bridgeport and Burt Tinsley of Portland, Ore. A telephone message was left by the Associated Press today for Tinsley. Hasbrouck's phone number was out of service. The men denied any involvement in the killing when interviewed by The Hartford Courant in 2003. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:02 PM | Comment Rallyblog: Crowd grows, in size and excitementPROVIDENCE -- Within less than a half-hour, the size of a crowd preparing to march on the State House today in support of immigration reforms had grown significantly this afternoon. Marchers were taking over Broad Street, even as cars continued to drive by. Police were on the scene, on horseback. And a blast of cheers and yells came from hundreds of throats as the group prepared to step off. The festive mood had become one of excitement as the flag-waving throng started the third in a series of events in Providence as part of a nationwide demonstration. -- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples Posted by Andrea Panciera at 3:52 PM | Comment Red Sox confirm Mirabelli tradeThe Boston Red Sox have confirmed through a press release that they have reacquired catcher Doug Mirabelli in a trade with the San Diego Padres. The deal sends catcher Josh Bard, Triple-A relief pitcher Cla Meredith and either a player to be named later or cash to the Padres for Mirabelli, a member of the 2004 world championship Red Sox. Mirabelli was traded from Boston to San Diego in the offseason for second baseman Mark Loretta. He will resume his familiar role -- catching knuckleballer Tim Wakefield -- apparently beginning tonight against the Yankees. Posted by Mike McDermott at 3:46 PM | Comment Photo: Festive crowd heads to State House
PROVIDENCE -- American and Mexican flags were flying, Latin-style music blared from loudspeakers mounted on a truck and the mood was festive as several hundred people gathered this afternoon for a march to the State House. The group was readying for the last of three organized events in the city today as demonstrators nationwide called for immigration reforms. The march was due to kick off at 3:30 p.m. As they waited outside Central High School for the march to start, many participants carried signs saying "inmigrantes unidos" (immigrants united, in Spanish) on one side, and on the other, "human rights," in English. Most of the participants appeared to be younger -- some of them high school students, including those from neighboring Classical High, and adults carrying children. Earlier today, about 20 students from Classical walked out of school at 1 p.m. to support immigrant workers and attend the beginning of a Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. The Mass was the second of the major local events planned for today. Then, they walked to City Hall, where they gathered on the steps as their numbers grew to about 25 or more. Senior class president Chichi Ofokansi said this issue hits close to home for these students, almost all of whom have families who would be affected by changes to the national immigration laws.
The students, for the most part, said they were "born here." But their families are from Italy, Cape Verde, Colombia, Guatemala, Spain and elsewhere. Ofokansi urged her peers to act respectfully and spoke on the phone to other students, telling them not to get out of school unless they personally cared about this issue. As she chided one caller, this wasn’t just a reason to skip school. -- With reports from projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples and Kate Bramson Posted by Kate Bramson at 3:43 PM | Comment Rallyblog: Mass celebrated with mops and broomsPROVIDENCE – About a dozen or so hotel workers and janitors walked their mops, their brooms, their bucket and their whisks up the aisle at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul today during a Mass for immigrant rights. Then the priests blessed those items, the tools of the trade for employees from The Providence Westin hotel and janitors who clean offices in downtown. The Mass, which drew perhaps 200 people, was the second of three organized events today that are part of a nationwide demonstration for immigrant rights. Then Juan Garcia, head of the Immigrants in Action Committee at St. Teresa Church in Olneyville, read from the Prayers of the Faithful in Spanish as someone translated for him into English: “For migrant workers, refugees and strangers in our midst, that they may find hope in our concern for justice and feel the warmth of our love, let us pray to the Lord,” Garcia read. -- With reports from Journal staff writer Karen Lee Ziner Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:53 PM | Comment Rallyblog: Boycott prompts canceling of after-school programsPROVIDENCE -- The Providence public school system has canceled after-school activities today as some workers are taking the day off to support immigrants' rights, according to a school spokeswoman. The work boycott means there aren't enough transportation workers, including bus monitors, to ensure the students can get home, said Maria Tocco, a spokeswoman. Students ride school buses and also public transportation. The cancellation affects students who participate in athletics, music and other programs. -- With reports from Journal staff writer Linda Borg Posted by Jack Perry at 2:10 PM | Comment Man released from federal custody, surrenders gunsPROVIDENCE -- Ken W. Lee was released from federal custody this afternoon, after spending two nights in federal prison for attempting to bring a loaded gun aboard a weekend flight at T.F. Green Airport. At an afternoon hearing, U.S. District Court Judge David L. Martin ordered Lee, 53, of Holden, Mass., released on $10,000 personal recognizance bail. Martin also ordered Lee to surrender his personal firearms to the FBI by 5 p.m. today. Lee was scheduled to board a 1:50 p.m. Southwest Airlines flight at T.F. Green State Airport to Phoenix Saturday. A baggage screener detected a loaded .357-caliber handgun, an additional 12 rounds of ammunition, and a 3-inch folding knife in the side pocket of Lee's bag. With his wife looking on, Lee was led into the courtroom at about 2:30 p.m. The slight man with neatly-combed hair was shackled and handcuffed. Lee's attorney, Robert Mann, said Lee works in the engineering field. He would not comment further on the case. According to an FBI affadavit, Lee told authorities he forgot the gun was in his carry-on bag. At the hearing today, Lee said he was on his way to visit his ailing 97-year-old father. Judge Martin gave Lee permission to visit his elderly father in the coming weeks. Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:52 PM | Comment Man tries to board plane with a loaded gunPROVIDENCE -- Ken W. Lee, 53, of Holden, Mass., was charged with carrying a loaded gun onto an aircraft, a federal offense, according to paperwork filed today in U.S. District Court, Providence. Lee was scheduled to board a 1:50 p.m. Southwest Airlines flight at T.F. Green State Airport to Phoenix Saturday. A baggage screener detected a loaded .357-caliber handgun, an additional 12 rounds of ammunition, and a 3-inch folding knife in the side pocket of Lee's bag. Lee told authorities that he must have forgotten the weapons were in his bag when he packed it, according to an FBI affadavit. He said he had a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Lee has been held in federal custody since the incident. He is scheduled to appear in court today at 2 p.m. Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:29 PM | Comment Gas prices keep climbingPROVIDENCE -- The pain at the pump just keeps growing. Gas prices are up again this week, and getting even closer to the $3 mark. The state Energy Office says prices are averaging $2.94 for a gallon of regular unleaded, up two cents from last week. That's 71 cents more than at this time last year -- a 30 percent increase. A survey by AAA finds gas prices averaging $2.93 a gallon. -- The Associated Press Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:25 PM | Comment Report: Red Sox trade to get Doug MirabelliESPN writer Buster Olney is reporting today that the Boston Red Sox have completed a trade with the San Diego Padres to bring back catcher Doug Mirabelli, and that Mirabelli will catch Tim Wakefield tonight when the Sox host the Yankees. Boston has reportedly dealt Josh Bard, the back-up catcher who has struggled to handle Wakefield's knuckleballs so far, Triple-A relief pitcher Cla Meredith, and cash. The Red Sox traded Mirabelli, who had been Wakefield's personal catcher, to San Diego in the offseason for second baseman Mark Loretta. Mirabelli was hitting .182 in 14 games with the Padres. Posted by Mike McDermott at 11:46 AM | Comment Photo: Welcoming May Day with a dance
The Ladies of the Rolling Pin, a group of Morris dancers, welcome the first day of May with a May Day dance at sunrise this morning by Narragansett Town Beach. With flour smeared on their faces, the women in chef's hats use their rolling pins as clacking sticks. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:18 AM | Comment Photo / Rallyblog: Supporters bring message to the mall
As about 75 people marched in front of The Providence Westin hotel, another 200 to 300 others walked up Francis Street to the adjacent mall before turning around and heading back. They were blowing horns and chanting: "What do we want?" "Justice." Traffic was stopped at the busy intersection, and the Providence police helped escort the group. -- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson Posted by Jack Perry at 11:01 AM | Comment Rallyblog: March, chants kick off Providence eventPROVIDENCE -- The local rally for immigrants' rights started at about 9:50 a.m. with chanting and marching. "Our civil rights are under attack. What do we do?" somebody shouted. "Stand up and fight back," came the reply. As about 20 people marched around the Civil War monument in Kennedy Plaza, about another 180 people watched, carried signs or stood in small circles. One of the marchers here is Max Ramirez of Pawtucket, a carpenter who sets his own schedule. He took the day off to attend the rally with his wife, Maryanne, who wasn't scheduled to work today. Max is a first-generation U.S. citizen. His mother came to the United States from Mexico with Max's three older siblings 28 years ago. Max was born here. His mother became a citizen two years ago. Maria Salazar of Central Falls, also at the rally, says many of the businesses in her city are closed today. -- Journal staff writer Kate Bramson Posted by Jack Perry at 10:25 AM | Comment Rallyblog: Volunteer: 'I'm here to support them'PROVIDENCE -- Caitlin Cohen, a junior at Brown University, volunteered to serve as a marshal at today's immigration rally in Kennedy Plaza because she believes "immigrant workers are an incredibly important part of our society." "The city's culture is very much based on a lot of immigrant workers, and they're sort of undervalued in many ways," Cohen said. "I'm here today to support them and the things they do for us on a regular basis." By about 9:15 a.m., the crowd for the rally had increased to about 180 people. -- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson Posted by Jack Perry at 9:23 AM | Comment Rallyblog: Early turnout light in ProvidencePROVIDENCE -- As of about 9 a.m., about 100 people had gathered at Kennedy Plaza to rally for immigrant rights, one of many such rallies across the country planned for today. "We've prepared for 1,000 people, but we really don't know what to expect," said Daniel Bass, of the Service Employees International Union, which is one of the event organizers. "There should be a large group of people out here to demand immigrant justice and comprehensive immigration reform that prioritizes human rights." A sign hangs on the plaza's Civil War monument, calling for "Human Rights For All" More signs, in Spanish and English, are stacked near the monument, waiting to be carried by rally participants. Thirty to 40 of those who've turned out so far are people who have volunteered to serve as marshals helping to lead the rally, according to Bass. -- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson Posted by Jack Perry at 8:59 AM | Comment Society offers award after theft from The BreakersThe Preservation Society of Newport County is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the recovery of eight small objects stolen from The Breakers, the Vanderbilt historic house. The Newport police are investigating the theft on Saturday morning of a glass vase, three silver vases, a clock, a candelabrum and two small decorative objects – a brass caryatid casting by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney and an obelisk, according to the society. The items are valued at $70,000. Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:45 AM | Comment Sealing the deal for cruise ship donation
The Niagara Prince, shown here leaving Chicago, will spend much of the summer cruising in the Great Lakes.
The presidents of Rhode Island College, Roger Williams University and Wentworth Institute of Technology will meet at 10 a.m. aboard one of Blount’s ships at Blount Boats in Warren. The schools will assume joint ownership of the ship, the 175-foot Niagara Prince, at the end of this year. When he announced the donation last month, Blount said he hoped the schools could sell the ship for its estimated value and split the proceeds. Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:08 AM | Comment Rallyblog: R.I. immigrants to join national demonstration“A Day without Immigrants” is set for today in Rhode Island as part of a nationwide demonstration for immigration reform. It’s difficult to gauge how many people will participate in a rally, service and march in Providence, but police Maj. Paul Fitzgerald has predicted the events could draw 10,000 people. Three events are scheduled, all in Providence: a 9 a.m. rally at Kennedy Plaza; a 1:30 p.m. "Service in Honor of Immigrant Justice" in Cathedral Square; and a march from Central High School, at 70 Fricker Street, to the State House that is scheduled to assemble at the school at 3:30 p.m. Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:44 AM | Comment Red flag fire warning issued for todayAfter our beautiful, sunny weekend, the National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning today, in effect from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Such a warning means that critical fire weather conditions -- a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures -- are either in effect or will be shortly. The warning covers an area generally northwest of Boston to the Providence line, and it also includes all of Connecticut. Expect today to be partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers this afternoon. It should be breezy with highs around 60. Get the latest conditions and forecasts from projo.com. |
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