RISE UP! Rhode Island held a rally on Saturday to honor and celebrate Women’s History Month and the work of multiple human rights organizations in RI. The gathering was held at the Roger Williams National Memorial and served as counter programming to the pro-Trump MAGA march and counter-protest taking place just up the road at the State House.
This event was organized and led by the RI Chapter of Women’s March Network, and was co-sponsored by RI Working Families, Resist Hate RI, RI NOW, RI Council for Muslim Advancement, McAuley Ministries, Coyote RI, the RI Democratic Party, RIPTA Riders Alliance, and the Women’s Fund of RI.
Below you will find video for all the speakers at the rally, with camera work by Dave Ray, who had a hard time finding a spot that wasn’t continually being blocked by unfurling banners.
First up, Shanna Wells and Nancy Rathe of Women’s March RI.
Loren Spears, Executive Director of the Tomaquag Museum
Dr. Wendy Manchester Ibrahim of RICMA (Rhode Island Coucil for Muslim Advancement)
High school student Celia Contreras
Kathleen Cloutier, executive director of Dorcas International Institute
Kelly Nevins, Executive Director of the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island
LGBTQ activist Kate Monteiro and US Representative David Cicilline
Georgia Hollister‐Isman of the Working Families of Rhode Island
Singer/songwriter Emeline
Daycare provider Laurie Bradburn
Yassah Flowers, President of Solid Rock Women
Dr. Diane Cocozza Martins speaking on behalf of the medically underserved
Arts educator and actor Gloria Crist
Poet Kim Baker
Becky Chace leads attendees in singing, “I Can’t Keep Quiet”
Sterk Zaza of AHOPE (Americans Helping Others ProspEr)
Deb Perry of the YWCA
Rebecca Kislak of RI NOW
Karen Malcolm of the Protect Our Healthcare Coalition
RI State Senator Gayle Goldin
The Strattones
Reverend Dr. Michele Matot of McAuley House
Amy Glidden and Don Rhodes of RIPTA Riders Alliance
Sandra McEvoy spoke on behalf of Planned Parenthood
Bella Robinson of Coyote RI
