Articles by: Pat Ford

GROUPS URGE RI SENATE TO REJECT PROPOSAL THAT WOULD DETER PUBLIC TESTIMONY

  The League of Women Voters RI, Common Cause RI and the ACLU of RI have sent a letter to RI Senators expressing grave concerns over a proposed amendment to the 2021-2022 Senate rules that is scheduled for a floor vote on Tuesday. The amendment would allow committee chairs, in their sole discretion, to[Read More…]

by March 19, 2021

FOWL PLAY: University of Pennsylvania Denies Hunting Club Official Recognition

During the COVID-19 pandemic, over 750 registered student groups at the University of Pennsylvania have been able to host virtual events. But Penn students interested in hunting, archery, and shooting are being denied permission for even virtual activities. Today, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education called on Penn to stop engaging[Read More…]

by March 17, 2021

MURPHY, VAN HOLLEN, CICILLINE, BERA PROPOSE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET INCREASE TO COMPETE WITH CHINA, PREPARE FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC, AND FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE 

Senators Call for $12 Billion Increase in International Affairs Budget  WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), U.S. Representative David Cicilline (RI-01), and U.S. Representative Ami Bera (CA-07) on Tuesday proposed a significant increase to the international affairs budget for Fiscal Year 2022 to better address America’s national security challenges. Investing in[Read More…]

by March 16, 2021

Rhode Island Leaders Press for Universal Background Checks to Prevent Gun Violence

U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha held a press conference this afternoon at Family Service of Rhode Island with gun violence prevention advocates to discuss legislation the U.S. House sent to the Senate last week to require background checks on all gun sales[Read More…]

by March 15, 2021

The FANG Collective: TD Bank — Stop Funding the Line 3 Pipeline: The Protest

WHAT: TD Bank is the largest investor of the Line 3 tar sands oil pipeline that Enbridge is trying to build across Anishinaabe territory in so-called Minnesota. The pipeline is currently under construction but is facing indigenous led resistance from groups such as the Giniw Collective, who have been carrying out[Read More…]

by March 12, 2021

The Coalition Budget Central: McKee Statement / The Budget / Summary / Press Video

Governor Dan McKee today released the following statement on his proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget: “Our Fiscal Year 2022 budget proposal addresses the pressing needs posed by the pandemic, none more important than vaccinating the state’s population as quickly and safely as possible. Our proposal lays the foundation for us[Read More…]

by March 11, 2021

The Rhode Island FY2022 Budget: The Unveiling!

A Complete Overview of The 2022 “McKee” Budget … More To Come!

by March 11, 2021

STATEMENT BY AARP RHODE ISLAND STATE DIRECTOR KATHLEEN CONNELL RE: VACCINATION

AARP Rhode Island is still waiting for a more transparent, age-prioritized state vaccination plan that includes an efficient and effective centralized registration and appointment system. Our first call for transparency was on January 8. Subsequently AARP, our members and thousands of other Rhode Islanders have sent letters and petitions to[Read More…]

by March 10, 2021

Grieving Mother Of Inmate Who Died From As Yet Unexplained Circumstances Holds Press Conference

Marie Franco, Mother of  Jose Franco, held a press conference alongside her lawyer, David Strachman, and community organizers from the RI COVID Response: Decarcerate NOW Coalition, outside the Rhode Island ACI Medium Security Prison Marie’s son, Jose, unexpectedly passed in RIDOC custody nearly a month ago. He was found dead[Read More…]

by March 7, 2021

Education Activist Stephanie Meuse Explains It All To You – On The Coalition Radio Network!

Stephanie Meuse … Teacher … Activist testifies to the Actual performance of Rhode Island Schools during the Pandemic. We talk Pods … Social Distancing in the classroom … Curriculum … Substitute Teachers, and of course, RICAS. Listen/Watch to this breathtakingly, errr, different perspective … as well as a provocative response[Read More…]

by March 7, 2021