by Shannon Kelly ’26 on November 6, 2025

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Former Secretary of State, First Lady, and presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton was the guest speaker at Brown University’s Pizzitola’s Sports Center on Thursday, Oct. 30. As a relentless public servant who has dedicated her life to preserving the welfare of families and advocating for women’s rights to be seen as human rights, Clinton spoke as a part of the Ogden Memorial Lecture on International Affairs series, which began in 1965. The series honors Stephen A. Ogden Jr., who was a member of the class of 1960 and tragically died in a car accident during his junior year. The Ogden Lectureship was founded two years later and hoped to protect Ogden’s aspirations: the advancement of international peace and understanding. In over 100 talks given thus far, the Ogden Lectures share a common thread of speaking on pressing matters that necessitate global concern.

Brown University President, Christina H. Paxson, gave formal remarks before handing the microphone to John N. Friedman, the inaugural dean of the Thomas J. Watson School of International and Public Affairs. Friedman spoke to the importance of preserving knowledge in our current societal climate and preparing future leaders to engage with some of the world’s most pressing political and social problems. 

The first topic Clinton spoke about was foreign policy. Specifically, she emphasized the need to remember the impact of WWII on the global order, which ultimately allowed for America to emerge as a global superpower. Repeatedly throughout the talk, Clinton mentioned the impacts of the rise of China and Russian aggression. To quote, she said there is “a lot of churn going on” regarding current world movements. Clinton also called the audience’s attention to the current moment by mentioning the attacks on international institutions and the current administration’s withdrawal of the United States from agreements that we have been a part of for many years. She advocated for an approach that recognizes the need for stability and discipline, as the lack of credibility of the current administration often leads to multifaceted instability. Clinton also expressed her thoughts on the Israel/Palestine conflict, stating that a ceasefire is the very beginning of the work necessary and that we are in dire need of patient, strategic leadership. 

Clinton was asked about the role of power and persuasion in our current society. She continually highlighted the need for us to try and understand the people with whom we share space. She also spoke about her own engagement with personal diplomacy, where she continually makes an effort to get to know political leaders through forming connections and relationships. Clinton encouraged all of us to do that on a local level—to make an active effort to share conversation and get to know those who exist in the same communities as you. Additionally, she made it a point to say that as a people, we must be willing to invest in relationships with one another, instead of treating everything like it’s a transaction. 

The topics of misinformation and disinformation were also discussed, stating that this is one of the biggest issues that we face and that not nearly enough is currently being done. Clinton explained disinformation to be a well-organized industry that operates in a way that further divides Americans. Both industries have exacerbated a crisis of deciphering what is a fact and what is a falsehood, especially online. She encouraged the need for the basis of our information to be grounded in fact, and that we must be firm in our individual beliefs. She also spoke to the manipulation of the algorithm in our social media feeds that seek to “flood the zone and tilt our opinions one way or another.” Clinton concluded that we are living in a crisis of knowing what’s real and what’s not, while undergoing a massive experiment on our brains, which are so easily addicted to what is on our phones, or machines, as she referred to them. All in all, when we lack facts, evidence, and truth, it is impossible to have trust. 

One of the most powerful parts of the talk stemmed from Clinton’s advice she offered to young girls and women. Her first piece of advice was that people must not feel deterred, recognizing that being a woman in politics is really difficult, and that women are constantly being attacked online. She also spoke to her own experience of having a family and working in the political arena, as she believes that the priority has now shifted to the safety of women, rather than the lived experience. Clinton believes it takes true confidence and courage for women to put themselves out there. She also stated that we should take criticism seriously, but not personally; she reinforced that we must learn from criticism rather than give in to it. 

The last topic discussed was the role of universities in promoting democracy. Clinton’s response was simple and involved just eight words: “register to vote and vote in every election.” She mentioned the urgent need for forums that include differing opinions, educating people on current issues, and talking about what is at stake when discussing politics. She said that universities must be incubators of citizenship and have a duty to encourage debate based on facts, while encouraging all of their students to register to vote. 

Clinton ended by talking about the need to focus on the day-to-day challenges that we face and that we must remember the 250th anniversary of the United States that is approaching in the coming year. All in all, she encouraged the audience to engage across differences with both humanity and humility, with the intention of understanding other people’s perspectives, even when they do not align with your own. Condoleezza Rice is the next speaker for the Ogden Lecture Series on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at the Pizzitola Sports Center at Brown University.A Talk by Hillary Clinton: A Reflection on Her Career and Future

by Mariel Surprenant ’26 on October 30, 2025

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Through a GoFundMe and a darty, Providence College students were able to raise $2,000 in just five days towards breast cancer resources. Organizers from the class of 2026 threw a “Pink-Out Darty,” in which students of all grades were welcome to dress in pink, have a good time, and donate to breast cancer resources through QR codes. Darty attendee, Jack Lefebvre ’26, commented, “The darty was lots of fun. It was great to see our whole school dressed in pink to support a great cause.”

Breast Cancer Awareness Month occurs every October. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer “is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It accounts for about 30 percent (or one in three) of all new female cancers each year.” However, early detection and treatment advances have significantly improved survival rates. Each October, organizations, survivors, and supporters nationwide participate in fundraising walks, educational campaigns, and outreach events to support research, promote early detection, and honor those affected by the disease.

Students raised money to donate to the Gloria Gemma Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources to individuals and families impacted by breast cancer in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Its mission is to “celebrate and nurture life in our local community before, during, and after a cancer diagnosis by providing education, access to wellness resources, and support programs to all those touched by cancer.”

“The Gloria Gemma Foundation has a longstanding partnership with Providence College, and we deeply appreciate the continued support the Friars have shown over the years,” said Maria Gemma Corcelli, the foundation’s executive director. “The compassion and generosity of PC students and staff are truly a blessing to the people we serve, and we are forever grateful.”

Breast cancer has hit far too close to home for many PC students, including David Figueroa ’26. The Gloria Gemma Foundation is lovingly named after his grandmother, Gloria Gemma, who lost her courageous fight with breast cancer in 2002. “It was really awesome to see my school come together and raise money for a cause so close to my family. We appreciate everyone here at PC who donated,” said Figueroa.

Additionally, about 20 PC students participated in the 2025 Gloria Gemma 5k on Oct. 5, resulting in approximately $1,800 in additional donations.

Set up by the class of 2026, the event that the organizers created strove to give back to the community that has given so much to them over their four years at PC. Dave Guden ’26, the primary organizer of the darty and the GoFundMe, said, “My friends and I thought it would be a great idea to host a ‘Pink-Out’ fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We were very satisfied to see that Friartown was able to raise $2,000 for the Gloria Gemma Foundation here in Rhode Island. It truly shows how when us Friars come together, we can create a positive impact on the community.”

“It was super awesome to see our senior class come together to organize something bigger than ourselves and to show support for the local Rhode Island community,” said Jack Coyle ’26, a representative for the class of 2026.

by Izzy Mignardi ’27 on October 30, 2025

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Rhode Island saw a record number of 29.4 million tourists in 2024. Governor Dan McKee credits this 3.5 percent increase from the previous year to the state’s “strategic investments in destination marketing.” For example, Rhode Island Commerce launched its “All That” campaign in February of 2024 to showcase how Rhode Island truly has everything: history, beaches, culture, and more. 

Visitors spent over six billion dollars on food, lodging, retail, and transportation. This averages out to around 16.3 million dollars spent per day. Most visitors traveled for leisure rather than business, more stayed for the day rather than overnight, and very few were traveling internationally. 

Still, the traveler economy supported 88,509 jobs. Natives often complain that the tourism industry exploits the natural landscapes and increases the cost of living for residents. It also leads to increased congestion, especially this past summer, with ongoing construction on the Washington Bridge. Nonetheless, the Tourism Economics report cites that each household would have to be taxed an additional $2,230 to replace the visitor-generated taxes, which total $992 million.

Among popular tourist destinations in RI is Newport, known for its famous mansions and Cliff Walk. It’s also the county with the highest number of visitors this year. A close second was Providence, which offers tourists historical sights, fantastic food in Federal Hill, and community events like WaterFire. Both cities are home to locations of the Nitro Bar, a café that has become an internet sensation and is at the top of many tourists’ to-do lists. And of course, in the summer months, many come from neighboring states such as Massachusetts and Connecticut to visit the gorgeous beaches of Block Island.

With only a few months left in the year, we will soon see if this level of tourism has been maintained in 2025.

by Shannon Kelly ’26 on October 30, 2025

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Starting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, Jeff Merkley, a Democratic Senator from Oregon, led his caucus in protesting the Trump administration in the midst of the government shutdown. The government has been shut down since Oct. 1, when the Senate failed to pass an appropriations bill that would have funded the federal government for the upcoming fiscal year. They have since tried to pass 12 appropriations bills that have failed. Considering that Republicans control the House, Senate, and the Presidency, this was a moment of defiance for Democrats. Senator Merkley spoke for longer than 22 hours, as he began at 6:21 p.m. on Tuesday and finished at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. This nearly broke Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey’s record for longest speech given, after spending 25 hours on the Senate Floor back in April. 

Democrats have allowed for the government shutdown due to their demands to extend government healthcare resources, which Republicans have refused to negotiate. There has been little progress made in regards to finding a common ground that both sides can agree upon. This is a timely conversation, especially in light of the passing of President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill will effectively strip healthcare coverage from millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid and cut subsidies from the Affordable Care Act, among other things. As Senator Merkley stated, Trump plans to replace a government “by and for the people with a government by and for the powerful.”

Senator Merkley’s speech came after many No King’s Protests were held all over the United States, including in the cities of Providence, Washington, D.C., New York City, and Boston. Understandably, speaking on the Senate Floor for 22 hours is not an ideal feat, yet the 69-year-old senator demonstrated his tenacity, which Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts highlighted as “a continuation of the No Kings rally.” She also stated that “seven million people showed up to defend our democracy. Sen. Merkley is carrying that through to the floor of the Senate.”

The effects of the government shutdown are already being felt by many across the country. In fact, nearly 750,000 federal employees are at risk of being furloughed or terminated from their jobs. The government shutdown will continue until both sides are able to agree upon a reasonable appropriations bill. Senator Merkley repeatedly stated that authoritarianism is here and that as a country, “We’re in the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War.”

by Christian Cintron ’28 on October 30, 2025

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On Wednesday, Oct. 22, Grace Pierson ’26, the chair of Student Congress’s Committee on Advocacy, held a meeting open to all members of the campus community in Moore Hall 118 regarding the proposal of a Turning Point USA chapter at Providence College. Attendees of the meeting included representatives from Student Congress, the Board of Multicultural Student Affairs (BMSA), SHEPARD, and other interested PC students.

Turning Point USA is a nonprofit organization co-founded by conservative political activist and commentator Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September. Their official website proclaims, “We are committed to identifying, educating, training, and organizing students to promote freedom.” The overarching goal of the organization is to educate students nationwide on conservative values and uplift civic engagement in youth, grounded in a patriotic attitude and readiness to act. A movement largely rooted in traditionalism, Turning Point USA provides resources for both college campuses and high schools to promote these values on school grounds, including open applications for grants and providing guest speakers from their Speakers’ Bureau.

Pierson made it evident that the meeting did not have a specific agenda, but rather was an open forum for students to express their concerns about the proposed chapter, which could then be brought up at the pending club’s presentation to Student Congress. A document was maintained listing these concerns, and attendees voiced items that they wanted to be added to the list. The two primary talking points that are intended to be raised regard the club’s disposition as a non-partisan organization and the national group’s Professor Watchlist, with the goal of documenting college professors who impose leftist values on students. The meeting’s attendees questioned the chapter’s presentation as non-partisan when the national organization infamously has conservative implications. They were also skeptical of the organization’s connection to the Professor Watchlist and its consequences for PC professors, but the proposed chapter rejects involvement with the Professor Watchlist.

Pierson asserted that the presence of this chapter on campus could impact the experience of marginalized communities attending PC, describing the ideals of Kirk and other Turning Point USA founders as “white Christian nationalism.” She is chiefly concerned with the implications for professors due to the aforementioned Watchlist, believing that the potential for persecution could bring a culture of negativity to campus, stating, “everybody is negatively affected by that.” She also expanded on the distress regarding the chapter being presented as non-partisan, which was emphasized by the proposed chapter’s executive board when they met with Student Congress’s Committee on Clubs and Organizations on Wednesday, Oct. 15, arguing that DEI initiatives would suffer as a result. She discussed the optics of on-campus initiatives proportionally, noting they are “already being labeled as far-left” and will “be viewed as way farther left by comparison.”

The chapter will present to Student Congress on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and elected members of Student Congress are tentatively set to vote on the chapter’s passage a week later on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Both meetings will be open to the student body.

by Isabelle Camoin ’26 on October 30, 2025

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Last Wednesday, Oct. 22, the Dialogue, Inclusion, and Democracy Lab hosted a dialogue in Moore Hall 125: “AI Unpacked: A Dialogue about Ethics, Impact, and our Responsibility.” The event, structured as a World Café dialogue, brought together professors, faculty, and students to discuss the reality of what our classrooms on campus are facing and the societal implications of using artificial intelligence. Professors, faculty, and students from various departments and areas of study— ranging from marketing and finance to arts and the humanities—came together to discuss how AI is being used in the classroom, whether as a supplement to learning or not. Different topics of discussion presented in the World Café format included: the rapid growth of AI, relationships to AI, AI and its social impact, and policy around AI on the PC campus. 

The event opened with an introduction from Yessenia Tavarez ’27, a D.I.D. Lab fellow who shared background on why they were hosting the event and setting community guidelines for engaging in respectful conversation with one another. Ultimately, the style of conversation was chosen to allow for a space where everyone could express their perspectives and concerns, and ask questions. Tavarez also presented some of the D.I.D. wall responses that have been written around campus in response to the question, “Do you use AI? What are its implications?”, opening the floor for attendees to discuss the answers. In particular, some were concerned by the response, “I use it for therapy.” 

Attendees rotated their discussion topics, giving the opportunity to integrate conversations of classroom experience and the technicalities of how AI has come to the forefront of most discussions outside of the college campus. During the final 10 minutes of the event, each group gave a recap of the overall takeaways in their discussion. 

The table discussing our relationship to AI reflected on the demands of academic culture and the pressure to complete too many assignments leading to the use of AI to shortcut time as a means of completion. The table discussing social impact highlighted being able to think for yourself and the hindrance of this exercise when using AI. 

The table discussing policy explored how AI is integrated into classroom policy and the need for a transparent understanding when providing guidelines on how to use AI. One professor shared that their policy was created and agreed upon by the class in the first week, with the understanding that AI can be used as a prompt for generating research, but not as a replacement for original thought. A student shared that there was an unequal footing in the classroom when assignments were graded because all other students had used ChatGPT to curate the assignment, while they did not. 

A general understanding amongst most professors was that there has been no clear guidance on how to go about navigating the reality of this rapidly developing technology. Many professors and faculty expressed that they have not had sufficient training in understanding and using AI outside of what students have shown them. Peter Rogers, head of research in the Phillips Memorial Library, shared a multitude of insights on the different platforms and ways to use and understand AI in an academic setting. He also called attention to the work the library has done in sharing helpful tips amidst the confusion on when and how AI can be used in classwork. There are two pages on the Phillips Memorial website that one can look to if they are interested: one titled Generative AI and another titled AI and the Research Process. Both pages explore how AI works, what its purpose is, and some guidelines on best practices if one were to choose to use AI for assistance. 

Ultimately, the spectrum of how and if AI has a place on campus varies based on the area of study and one’s perspective. The multiple conversations held on campus in the past week on this issue demonstrate the necessity to develop a collective understanding of how to move forward. Questions brought forth in the event that could be worth considering include: “How has AI changed the way we interact with technology in the past few years?”, “What are some examples of AI applications that aren’t chatbots (like ChatGPT)?”, “What are your reasons for using AI for assignments and studying?”, “Is AI changing our relationship with learning?”, “Has its accessibility decreased the value of scholarly information?”, “What policies do you know to already exist in regards to AI?”, and “Is there a need for a transparent policy of AI use in the classroom?” It was a thoughtful conversation that engaged a lot of people’s concerns and is worth continuing it in the future.

by Isabelle Camoin ’26 on October 23, 2025

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Public Discourse on D.I.D. Walls

Inspired by the Phi Beta Kappa lecture shared by Dr. Shannon Jackson, “Arts, Democracy and The Public Life,” the Dialogue, Inclusion, and Democracy Wall (D.I.D.) wall in Slavin (next to the line for Dunkin’) asked the student body: “How can art be an agent for social change?” Although the talk was a month ago, it is worth discussing the responses that were written to this question. 

For context, the D.I.D. Walls on campus are public boards meant to allow for democratic practices and engagement in meaningful public dialogue. The boards are placed in different academic buildings and facilitated by D.I.D. Lab fellows. Spearheaded by Dr. Nicholas Longo and a team of students, the Providence College campus saw its first D.I.D. Wall in 2018, a chalkboard in Feinstein on the third floor. Since then, more spaces have been approved and new additions have been implemented in Moore Hall, SOWA, the Slavin Center, and the Mondor School of Nursing and Health Sciences. If you are ever in these buildings, you have probably seen these whiteboards, which pose questions that invite students to think about and answer anonymously. 

Returning to the answers seen on the Slavin Center D.I.D. Wall, a plethora of answers were seen. Insightful thoughts such as: “Art is a way to express yourself, likes and dislikes. Voicing your opinion through art is uniquely beautiful,” “Art is the unveiling of the Truth through beauty. Therefore, if art is held to low standards, Truth skewed” “Art can speak volumes that words sometimes can’t,” “Art bridges all boundaries,” “Brings people together who otherwise wouldn’t have felt connected.” These profound responses are demonstrative of members of our communities’ thoughts and feelings towards the significant role art can play in our society. These statements are the voices of the Providence College community. 

A part of the role of the walls is to address and observe our community’s capacity to engage in meaningful dialogue in a public space. When thinking about this, it is interesting to consider other statements that were not as profound, such as: “Artsy Fartsy”! and “6-7 is Art.” Recently, many responses have contained the inclusion of “6 7,” a permeating meme that seems to have intervened in many young adults’ vocabulary. It seems here that pop culture has interfered with members of the community’s ability to participate in meaningful discourse. Given that the walls are a space for free expression, the space cultivates the opportunity for students to bridge connections through language and contemplate the questions that are posed.

by Erich Rumson ’28 on October 23, 2025

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Disclaimer: This article was written prior to both Israel and Hamas violating the ceasefire.

Celebrations erupted across Israel on Oct. 13 as the 20 hostages who remained alive in Gaza returned home. Hamas, the governing body of the Gaza Strip, agreed to release them as part of the first phase of a peace plan proposed by President Donald Trump, which seeks to permanently end the Gaza War.

The first phase of the agreement, which both Israel and Hamas approved on Oct. 8, has called for an end to the fighting and for Hamas to release all Israeli hostages and the bodies of 28 who have died. In return, Israel has agreed to release 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and begin a withdrawal of its troops from certain areas of the Gaza Strip. As of one week after the deal, most of these points have been met by both sides, with some exceptions. Many of the remains of the deceased hostages have yet to be recovered and returned to Israel, and the Rafah crossing between Israel and Egypt remained closed despite promises to open it up to aid groups by Israel.

The apparent end to the war in Gaza was met with joy as well as caution by many observers worldwide, as there is still much uncertainty regarding the future of the region. According to the Wall Street Journal, negotiations surrounding the second phase of the plan—which deals with the future demilitarization and administration of the Gaza Strip—have proven more controversial than the first. Trump’s plan calls for an international Board of Peace to temporarily govern Gaza. However, the exact details of this international body, including how long it would be in control, have not been settled and several countries in the Middle East have expressed reluctance to be a part of it. The proposed disarmament of Hamas has also met some pushback, as although the group has agreed to give up its missiles and rocket launchers, it has refused to give up other weapons such as assault rifles.

The recent ceasefire and peace deal came right after the war in Gaza reached its two-year mark. The conflict began following Hamas’s attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, in which thousands of Hamas fighters invaded the country and killed over 1,000 Israeli civilians, while taking hundreds hostage. Israel subsequently launched a massive military campaign against Hamas, which destroyed large parts of the Gaza Strip and resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. The war caused one of the largest humanitarian crises in recent memory, rivaled only by the still ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and sparked massive protests worldwide in favor of both sides. The conflict spread into other Middle Eastern countries as well, as Israel launched campaigns against Hamas’s allies in Lebanon and Yemen, and conducted strikes against Iran last June. The fighting was stopped by two ceasefires, which took place in November of 2023 and from January to March of this year, in which hostages taken by Hamas were exchanged for prisoners taken by Israel. Neither of these ceasefires lasted, as fighting resumed in both cases.

One major development may cause the war to end for good this time. According to the Wall Street Journal, Hamas had come under increasing pressure from several Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, to agree to the peace deal proposed by Trump. Short on allies and with few other options remaining, Hamas accepted the first part of the proposal. On Oct. 13, the same day the hostages were released, a summit was held in Egypt during which leaders of countries around the world, including President Trump, met to discuss the future of Gaza. With many countries in the region united in stopping the war, one can only hope that this ceasefire may bring a lasting peace.

by Madison Benoit ‘29 on October 23, 2025

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Backlash from the Courts

As the government shutdown carries on, the White House and the Trump administration vow to continue with the nearly 4,000-person mass layoffs that were recently blocked by a court order.

The layoffs are currently aimed at more than 400 employees at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 465 Education Department Staff, and 102 employees at the Census Bureau.

This information comes from a court filing in a battle between two federal employee unions—The American Federation of Government Employees and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees—against the Trump administration. The unions have filed against the administration, stating that the firings are “politically driven RIFs,” or reductions in force, defined as the permanent termination of employees, often on a large scale, typically due to financial hardship, restructuring, or other business decisions.

U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston from the Northern District of California granted the unions a temporary restraining order, which will halt some of the layoffs that were announced on Oct. 10 and will prevent new layoffs from taking place until the next hearing on Oct. 28, at which she will consider an indefinite pause.

Although the administration has repeatedly stated that they will obey the order and stop the blocked layoffs, this comes after the Treasury and the Department of Health and Human Services saw the highest number of reductions, with more than 1,000 workers laid off. The administration has also clearly noted that they believe that most of the employees who received their notices before the court order, or are expecting to soon, are not protected by the court order, which only applies to programs or offices where the suing unions have members or bargaining units.

Judge Illston said that she does not think agencies should be carrying out layoffs while the temporary restraining order is in effect and urges the government to “err on the side of caution” at a status conference.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has called Illston “another far-left partisan judge.” Leavitt has also added that the White House is confident their actions are legal and called the layoffs “an unfortunate consequence” of the government shutdown.

The order is further complicated by the executive order issued by President Donald Trump earlier this year, which ended collective bargaining rights for most federal workers, citing national security concerns.

This means several agencies indicated they believed the court order does not apply to their employees because their agency no longer has an obligation to bargain with the unions that have sued the administration.

These layoffs still only amount to a small number of the federal employees who have left the government since Trump returned to the White House in January.

by Mariel Surprenant ’26 on October 23, 2025

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On Saturday, Oct. 18, thousands of Rhode Islanders gathered at the Rhode Island State House for a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump. The protest was one of thousands held across the country, at which citizens protested President Trump’s administration and agenda. An estimated 32,000 people of all ages and backgrounds gathered at the State House on Saturday, sporting inflatable costumes, flags, and signage, causing several street closures and an increased police presence.

The “No Kings” protests sweeping the country were started by the group Indivisible, which describes its mission as “to elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda.” The name of the demonstration comes from the group’s first mobilization effort on June 14, President Trump’s birthday. The “No Kings” protest was meant to “drown out” President Trump’s birthday parade in Washington, D.C. and send a clear message that protestors were fed up with what they see as President Trump’s authoritarian expansion of executive power.

The Providence protest was the largest “No Kings” protest in the state of Rhode Island. The event was attended by many left-wing activist groups, including the Raging Grannies, the Free Palestine Contingent, the Democratic Socialists of America, and Providence College’s very own Providence Immigrant Rights Coalition. The event was also attended by Rhode Island state Representatives Teresa Tanzi and. David Morales, a democratic socialist running against incumbent Brett Smiley in the 2026 mayoral election.

“Thank you for standing with our immigrant community,” Morales told the crowd. “Thank you for standing with our immigrant neighbors. Together we’re going to demonstrate that Rhode Island is a home for everyone, especially our immigrant brothers, sisters, and non-binary friends.”

At issue included increasing ICE raids across the nation, LGBTQ+ rights, the Russia-Ukraine war, the genocide in Gaza, funding for education and the national parks, the Epstein files, and President Trump’s accusations of fraud, bribery, rape, sexual harassment, and discrimination. Multiple demonstrators sported inflatable animal costumes in solidarity with protestors in Portland, OR, while others wore light yellow as a symbol of hope and nonviolent dissent.

“I’ve never considered myself a political person, but things have gone so far off course that I couldn’t stay silent any longer. Being here today in Providence was both heartbreaking and inspiring—heartbreaking that it’s come to this, but inspiring to see so many people standing up for democracy, decency, and each other,” said Jeanne, a protest participant and resident of Providence.