Two Providence state legislators are demanding community input in decisions impacting the Washington Park and South Providence neighborhoods.
Senator Tiara Mack and state Representative Jose Batista say there are several issues that residents have no voice in like the closing of a school and the possible expansion of a metals recycling facility.
“South Providence and Washington Park are already burdened with an LNG facility, a growing commercial port, an asphalt plant, a huge and potentially expanding scrapyard that pollutes our waterfront and resists regulation, and one of the widest, busiest sections of interstate highway in Rhode Island. Our kids suffer from alarmingly high asthma rates from the resulting pollution,” said Representative Batista (D-Dist. 12, Providence), a lifelong South Providence resident who grew up as one of those children suffering with asthma. “Our neighborhood deserves much better, and we absolutely deserve a chance to speak up and be heard about the developments that continue to be pushed on us.”
Senator Mack said, “The people of our districts deserve to be listened to about their needs, their concerns and their hopes about the future of their neighborhood. What does it say for our state when we continue to use a neighborhood that is predominantly Black, Brown and low-income as the place for everything people don’t want in their own neighborhoods, and continue to do so without even accepting public comment? Our constituents deserve a voice in all these matters and we will not sit silent as our neighborhood is harmed time and time again. We hope to be true partners with state leaders as we build a Providence that works for everyone.”
They say they want engagement and conversation with people living in those areas.
(Photo Credit: State Senator Tiara Mack)