Rhode Island

Did a BLM RI founder endorse Trump? There’s more to the story

Published

1 year ago

November 29, 2023

Press Room

Did a BLM RI founder endorse Trump? There’s more to the story

BLM RI’s president says Mark Fisher was fired from the group and never had a role in its founding.

A man once affiliated with the local Black Lives Matter RI group has gained national media attention for his endorsement of Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential race, but local advocates are calling into question his credentials.

This week, headlines circulated from national media proclaiming that Mark Fisher, a “leader” of BLM RI, had thrown his support behind Trump.

But while the national news media described Fisher as a “leader” of Black Lives Matter and “co-founder” of Black Lives Matter RI, the group’s current head, Gary Dantzler, disputes those claims, saying Fisher only worked as an advocate.

Local BLM RI group says Fisher was not a ‘co-founder’

Dantzler, who is the head of BLM RI and registered the group as a nonprofit with the IRS in 2021, said Fisher was not a co-founder but, starting that year, worked for a matter of months as an advocate.

“Mark Fisher stated he was one of the co-founders of BLM,” Dantzler said. “Absolutely not. He was a respected advocate for BLM. That’s it. And he was paid and somewhere he got fired and demoted.”

Currently, there is no Rhode Island-based Black Lives Matter group in the IRS’ nonprofit database with Fisher listed. However, Fisher was listed as a director in BLM RI’s articles of incorporation with the state in 2020. A 2022 annual report shows his name was removed that year.

In late October, Fisher tweeted an undated photo of himself within a group of people wearing BLM RI T-shirts. Dantzler is shown on the far left of the image. Dantzler did not immediately comment on the picture.

What made the headlines? A nearly month-old interview and a Fox News appearance.

On Nov. 6, Fisher appeared on the “Kim Iversen Show” and expressed his support for Trump. The show, posted on YouTube and video platform Rumble, is run by Kim Iversen, who was fired in 2022 from The Hill’s “Rising” web show. Iversen is a COVID-19 vaccine skeptic, has called Jan. 6 insurrectionists oppressed “political prisoners,” and has said Ukraine shouldn’t fight back against Russia’s ongoing onslaught.

“I like Trump personally,” Fisher said on the show. “And I think right now who we have sitting in the Oval Office is just a deep disappointment. I deeply have disdain for him, and I really dislike the vice president as well.”

Fisher also defended those who were involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

On Nov. 28, Fisher was welcomed onto “FOX & Friends” where he reiterated his views. Both Iversen’s show and Fox referred to Fisher as a “BLM leader.” Fox also titled him as a “co-founder” of BLM RI.

Fisher did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Providence Journal.

Prominent local PAC issues clarification about Fisher, BLM RI

Friction has historically lingered between BLM RI and BLM RI PAC, the Black Lives Matter Rhode Island Political Action Committee, which is a separate entity with different membership. The PAC has a visible social media presence and routinely sends out press releases, though Dantzler said it is “unfair” that people associate BLM with the PAC after “the work I put in through the years” on his own organization.

On Wednesday, the PAC released a statement to officially disassociate itself from Fisher, stating he “is not and has never been affiliated with our organization.”

“The views expressed by Mr. Fisher in the referenced Fox News segment do not reflect the values or beliefs of BLM RI PAC,” the group said. “We would like to emphasize that Mark Fisher claims association with Black Lives Matter Rhode Island, a non profit organization. Any statements or actions attributed to him should not be conflated with our organization.”

Dantzler denounces Fisher’s Trump endorsement

Dantzler said he is “really disgusted” by Fisher’s endorsement of Trump, and accused Fisher of “trying to hijack the BLM movement of RI.”

Though BLM RI does not engage much with local media, Dantzler said it still holds office space on Main Street in Pawtucket and has been working with the Department of Labor and Training on workforce development initiatives. Dantzler said the organization was also conducting COVID-19 testing as recently as three months ago.

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Rhode Island

Newport crews extinguish house fire | ABC6

Published

9 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Newport crews extinguish house fire | ABC6

Newport crews extinguished a fire on Green Street on Dec. 24. (WLNE)

NEWPORT, RI (WLNE) — The Newport Police Department said crews extinguished a fire on Green Street on Tuesday afternoon.

Around 2:22 p.m. Newport police were notified by the fire department of smoke coming from the basement of a home.

On the scene, crews reported a working fire, which was later extinguished.

Officials said the residents of the home were safety evacuated.

There are no reported injuries, according to police.

The cause of the fire, as well as where or how it started is under investigation.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Mega Millions, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Dec. 24, 2024

Published

18 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 24, 2024, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

11-14-38-45-46, Mega Ball: 03, Megaplier: 3

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

16-22-24-43-47, Lucky Ball: 11

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 0-9-5-1

Evening: 2-0-2-3

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

08-21-26-33-38, Extra: 36

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Rhode Island

When will Santa Claus be in RI? Follow the 2024 Santa Trackers from NORAD and Google

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

When will Santa Claus be in RI? Follow the 2024 Santa Trackers from NORAD and Google

It was the night before Christmas and all through the house, the children were wondering where’s that guy Claus?

If you’re looking to track Santa Claus’s flight over Providence and Rhode Island’s other cities and towns this Christmas Eve, there are a few ways you can track the big guy with nearly the same accuracy as a late Amazon package.

The military is on it with the NORAD Santa Tracker, and Google, which often feels all-knowing, is also on the case with its own Santa Tracker.

Check out the trackers to see Santa’s location:

See Santa’s location with the NORAD Santa Tracker

NORAD is the most reliable name in Santa tracking. On the job since 1955, when a young child from Colorado Springs accidentally called in (he meant to call a number advertised by a local department store), they’ve been following Santa’s journey using their radar technology ever since.

Now, NORAD, the joint U.S.-Canada command responsible for protecting the skies over both nations, staffs up for the big night, with a number available for children to call for status reports and an online tracker.

When does the NORAD Santa Tracker start?

On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, of course.

How do I follow Santa’s journey with the NORAD tracker?

Santa is on the move, as you can see below. If it doesn’t load, it can be found at www.noradsanta.org

You can also call NORAD directly at +1 (877) HI-NORAD.

See Santa’s location on the Google Santa Tracker

In 2004, Google started tracking Santa as well, because, well, there’s a lot of interest in Old St. Nick. Google has a website. While you’re waiting around for Santa, Google’s guide includes a family guide, quizzes and various Christmas-themed games to play.

Why might the NORAD Santa Tracker and Google Santa Tracker disagree?

All of our tracking technology is made for mere mortals, but Santa is magic, and he likes to create a little bit of mystery. It wouldn’t do for children all over the world to be catching him as he comes down the chimney to deliver presents. He would never get any work done! So sometimes, to keep the magic alive, he throws off the trackers, just a little bit.

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