Reported antisemitic incidents elevated greater than 50% in Rhode Island final 12 months, reflecting an escalation in such occasions throughout the area and the nation, based on a report by the Anti-Defamation League.
Seventeen antisemitic incidents had been reported in Rhode Island in 2021, up from 11 in 2020, based on the report.
Nationally, the ADL acquired 2,717 stories of antisemitic assault, harassment and vandalism in 2021, the very best quantity for the reason that ADL started monitoring such incidents in 1979.
Report:White supremacist propaganda elevated in RI final 12 months based on Anti-Defamation League
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It’s a median of greater than seven incidents per day and marks a 34% enhance over the two,026 incidents reported in 2020, the ADL stated.
Did antisemitic incidents enhance in different New England states?
Throughout the area, reported incidents had been up 42%, with a complete of 155 reported in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, based on the ADL New England, which serves the 5 states. (For the reason that Nineteen Fifties, Connecticut has been its personal area throughout the nationwide ADL construction.)
“The alarming enhance in antisemitic incidents within the area and throughout the nation ought to be deeply regarding to all,” stated Robert Trestan, ADL New England regional director. “The numbers elevated in practically each class, together with harassment and vandalism.”
Massachusetts, probably the most populous state in New England, had probably the most incidents with 108, a 48% enhance over the 73 reported in 2020.
From 2021:Latent fingerprints level to Warwick man suspected of posting Hitler stickers in Bristol
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The Massachusetts instances included the stabbing of Rabbi Shlomo Noginski outdoors a Jewish day faculty in Brighton. Additionally, a highschool soccer coach in Duxbury was fired after it was revealed that his group recognized performs utilizing Holocaust-related and Jewish phrases, together with utilizing the dying camp “Auschwitz.”
In Vermont, 15 incidents had been reported, up from eight in 2020, based on the ADL.
Nevertheless, reported incidents dropped in New Hampshire and Maine. New Hampshire had seven in 2021, down from 9 in 2020. Maine had six final 12 months, down from seven the earlier 12 months.
In accordance with the ADL, the vast majority of incidents reported in New England had been for harassment, with 78, adopted by vandalism, 75. The area’s two assaults had been reported in Massachusetts.
What occurred in Rhode Island?
Listed here are a number of the incidents reported in Rhode Island:
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In Might, racist and antisemitic stickers had been posted on the road and a public library in Bristol. Two males had been later charged with vandalism.
In August, a number of swastikas and the phrases “6 million methods to die” had been spray-painted on the campus of the College of Rhode Island in Narragansett.
In September, a Jewish scholar was approached by a classmate in Windfall who “repeatedly made uncomfortable references to her Jewish background and Israel.”
In November, the Nationalist Social Membership, a neo-Nazi group, hung a banner from an overpass in Windfall that learn, “Jews killed Jesus.”
Which states had probably the most reported antisemitic incidents?
Nationally, New York had probably the most instances with 416. It was adopted by New Jersey (370), California (367), and Florida (190). Michigan and Texas every had 112.
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The ADL says the reported incidents are “nearly definitely a major undercount” since such occasions are usually underreported.
However, Trestan, the ADL regional director, stated the info “is sending a crystal-clear” message.
“Antisemitism stays a pervasive unwell in our society that have to be stemmed, or else we threat normalizing this hatred,” Trestan stated. “ADL is steadfast in our dedication to disrupting and exposing antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head and urge all to hitch us on this battle.”
The ADL says it has “a complete method to addressing antisemitic incidents and habits.” The company tries to forestall such exercise by via youth training and dealing to cross legal guidelines. The ADL says it additionally helps law-enforcement businesses acknowledge and disrupt potential threats.
PROVIDENCE – A Rhode Island husband and wife were each arrested for allegedly driving under the influence on Saturday, less than two hours apart, according to authorities.
Betsy Medeiros, of Middletown, was arrested on Chase Road in Portsmouth, R.I. around 12:31 a.m. after officers discovered her inside her disabled vehicle and after she failed field sobriety tests, according to police. She was charged with driving under the influence of liquor, 0.15 or greater, officials said in a statement.
A short while later, at 1:57 a.m., police also arrested Marc Brownell, who identified himself as Medeiros’ husband, according to authorities.
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Brownwell was taken into custody after he drove to the Portsmouth police station and “displayed signs of intoxication,” police said.
Brownwell also failed field sobriety tests, and was charged with driving under the influence with blood alcohol content unknown and refusal to submit to a chemical test, police said.
Christopher Gavin can be reached at christopher.gavin@globe.com.
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien was sworn in for his eighth term Monday night, and shared his pitch to keep Hasbro in Rhode Island.
Years after the Pawtucket Red Sox left for Worcester, the city now faces the threat of another Pawtucket staple leaving town: Hasbro, Inc.
“Right now we’ve been having those honest conversations with them,” said Grebien. “They seem to be on hold for a little bit.”
Hasbro, a member of the Fortune 500, has been rooted in Rhode Island for nearly a century.
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It’s headquarters are currently located in Pawtucket, but the company’s leadership is flirting with a move to Massachusetts.
“We’ve made it clear through the leadership on the council, myself, and our state delegation that we want them here,” Grebien said. “They belong in Pawtucket, we’re gonna do what we can to make that happen.”
Grebien said a major part of the Pawtucket’s pitch to Hasbro is a new hub developing in the city, focused around train service and the city’s new professional soccer team.
“We want to have them partner with the commuter rail and with Tidewater Stadium,” Grebien said. “To have an active zone where we’re developing, and they’ll be a part of that ground-up development.”
Grebien said he believes Rhode Island is the best fit for Hasbro.
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“If they go to Mass., it really is about them, they’re lost in Mass,” he said. “Here they’re a big fish in a little pond, and I think they realize that.
“At the end of the day they’ve got to do what’s right for them,” Grebien continued. “We’ll support them either way.”
Governor Dan McKee has also been in communication with Hasbro, as officials attempt to keep the company in Rhode Island.
The I-195 Redevelopment District offered Hasbro exclusive rights to buy an acre of land in Providence for $1.
Hasbro has not yet responded publicly to the offer.
Rhode Island law enforcement didn’t take a holiday break during the New Year’s season, making 108 arrests for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) between December 27, 2024, and January 5, 2025. The crackdown was a collaborative effort among all 38 municipal police departments and the Rhode Island State Police, aimed at keeping roads safe during the busy holiday period.
“I’m proud of the work that our police officers are doing to keep our roadways safe, but at the same time, these numbers are deeply concerning,” said Colonel Bradford Connor, President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and Warwick Chief of Police. “Driving under the influence is never acceptable, and our message is clear: if you choose to drink or use cannabis and drive, you will be caught, and you will be arrested. This holiday season, 108 people learned that the hard way and will spend the next months—and years—dealing with the consequences.”
Harsh Penalties for a Costly Mistake
Rhode Island’s DUI laws carry significant penalties for offenders. A first-time DUI conviction can result in:
A jail sentence of up to one year at the Adult Correctional Institution (ACI).
License suspension lasting 3 to 18 months.
Mandatory community service ranging from 10 to 60 hours.
Fines between $100 and $500, with additional fees that can add up to thousands.
Refusing to take a chemical test, such as a blood, breath, or urine test, also has serious consequences. First-time refusals can lead to:
License suspension for six months to one year.
Fines of $200 to $500.
Community service requirements and mandatory alcohol or drug education programs.
Repeat offenders face even stiffer penalties, including potential incarceration and extended license suspension or ignition interlock periods.
A Deadly Gamble
Despite widespread campaigns against impaired driving, the holiday season often sees a spike in DUIs. Law enforcement and public safety officials are urging Rhode Islanders to plan ahead, use rideshare services, or designate a sober driver to avoid endangering lives and facing life-altering legal repercussions.
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“This isn’t just about getting arrested—it’s about saving lives,” Connor emphasized.
As Rhode Island moves into 2025, the message remains firm: impaired driving will not be tolerated, and law enforcement will be out in full force to ensure the roads remain safe for everyone.
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