Rhode Island
In the bitter cold, more than a thousand people rally in Providence for ‘ICE Out!’ protest – The Boston Globe
Amanda McCorkle also came to Providence from the southern part of the state and took her two children, Ada and Magnus Katter, out of school to participate in the “ICE Out! National Day of Action” protest
“It’s just too hard to ignore what’s happening right now,” McCorkle said.
“Stop killing people,” her daughter, 15-year-old Ada Katter, said. “Kids are seeing it, it’s hurtful, it’s scary.”
The rally turned into a march around downtown, blocking traffic at times, before returning to the State House. Families with small children were in attendance. Wind chills dipped into the single digits.
“Free our families, free them all,” one chant rang out. The protest drew more than 1,000 people and was peaceful. A Providence police spokesperson said no arrests were made as of 5 p.m.
Protests against ICE are being held nationwide on Friday and this weekend, as tensions reach a boiling point over the two killings. The Department of Justice earlier Friday said it was opening a civil rights investigation into the shooting of Pretti, but a similar investigation was not being opened in Good’s death.
Students from various Providence high schools and from Brown University also joined the protest Friday afternoon.
“We are here saying enough is enough,” said Dakota Pippins, a freshman at Brown. We’re not going to tolerate it anymore.” Pippins said students from Brown walked out of their classes to join the protest, which made its way up North Main Street toward the State House.
Students from URI, RISD, Johnson & Wales, Roger Williams, RIC, and CCRI also participated, he later confirmed, and student and graduate worker groups including the Deportation Defense Network, Brown Rise Up, Sunrise Brown, and the RI Student Climate Coalition worked together to coordinate the walkout.
“What people are really bothered by is the horrifying violence of it,” Pippins said, referencing the Pretti killing. “And just the fact that the highest officials in our nation would then call him a terrorist, an assassin, trying to murder people, when we have video evidence that so clearly refutes that, is just sickening.”
Manuel Urizar, a senior at Hope High School, said he walked out of school with around 50 other students. He said he has heard people say that protesting ICE is causing “unnecessary fear.”
“It’s not unnecessary where there is the possibility that anyone from our family, our friends … are just being taken off the streets,” Urizar said.
Matthew Muller marched with a massive inflatable orange whistle created by his Providence-based art studio Pneuhaus, a reference to the whistles used in Minneapolis to warn neighbors that ICE is nearby.
“People are intimidated to join the ICE watch, and I think inflatables are a playful way to get past the barriers that these political issues bring up,” Muller said.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley on Friday had just returned from a US Conference of Mayors meeting where he spoke to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, along with the mayors of Los Angeles and Portland, where major ICE enforcement actions have taken place.
“We’ve been so appalled and offended by the lawlessness that we’ve seen, and heartbroken by the harm that’s been done,” Smiley said.
He said there’s been a “tone and tactic shift” from many mayors, including himself, who initially sought to avoid drawing the attention of the Trump administration, for fear of being the next city targeted.
Now, he said, “enforcement priority locations seem to have nothing to do with anything other than political grudges or retribution from the administration, and so ‘keeping your head down’ maybe does, maybe doesn’t keep you off the hit list,” Smiley said.
He signed an executive order earlier this month barring ICE from using city property for its operations. The city has a separate ordinance barring police from helping ICE with civil immigration enforcement.
Smiley said the city’s emergency management agency has been preparing in case Providence is targeted by a major ICE enforcement.
There is no specific reason to believe Providence will be targeted, he said, “but there’s no reason to believe they were going to target Portland, Maine, either.”
State Representative David Morales, who is running against Smiley for mayor, said he was “terrified” that an immigration action could happen here.
“If I was mayor, we would be towing ICE vehicles out of our city any time they violate our sanctuary city laws,” Morales said.
Christopher Gavin can be reached at christopher.gavin@globe.com. Steph Machado can be reached at steph.machado@globe.com. Follow her @StephMachado. Carlos Muñoz can be reached at carlos.munoz@globe.com. Follow him @ReadCarlos and on Instagram @Carlosbrknews.
Rhode Island
Flight restrictions over World Cup sites: Unpermitted drones could be destroyed if they fly in certain areas – The Boston Globe
The drone restriction is centered around the soccer practice field adjacent to Beirne football stadium at Bryant University, and the Graduate by Hilton Providence hotel, which are being used by Team Ghana.
“The FAA exempts drone operations that directly support national defense, homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting or search-and-rescue missions,” Breitenfeldt said. “Commercial operators with a valid statement of work must submit requests at least 72 hours before operating within a restricted area to allow for coordination and approval.”
According to the notice, The Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Department of Justice may seize, damage, or even destroy drones that they deep to be a credible safety or security threat.
Providence law enforcement is handling safety efforts on the ground.
“This is unlike any event Providence has hosted in terms of duration and international reach, but our police, fire, emergency management, and city teams have been preparing extensively,” said Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez in a press release.
The PVD FanZone at Station Park, between the Providence Place Mall and train station, will host fans from around the world. According to the press release, the city will have a layered security plan throughout the FanZone and surrounding downtown area and police presence throughout the district. A mobile command center will be located nearby where the public can seek help.
There will be four staffed entryways with security screening, and alcohol service will end 30 minutes prior to the FanZone’s closing each night.
Guests will not be allowed to bring coolers or outside food and drinks, drones, or weapons of any kind, according to the press release.
Carlos Muñoz can be reached at carlos.munoz@globe.com. Follow him @ReadCarlos and on Instagram @Carlosbrknews.
2026 Day of Portugal Festival and Parade dates, lineup and more
Rhode Island’s Day of Portugal — June 5-7 in Providence: live music, food, dance & family fun; parade
Maria João “MJ” Albuquerque Martins and John Furtado will serve as the grand marshals of the 2026 RI Day of Portugal Parade.
Martins, a longtime RI Day of Portugal volunteer, will be recognized for “her lifelong dedication to preserving and uplifting Portuguese culture in Rhode Island,” according to RI Day of Portugal officials.
Furtado will be recognized for his “lifelong dedication to volunteerism, cultural preservation, and service to the Portuguese‑American community.”
“This year we honor two of the most humble and hardworking individuals who have supported not only RI Day of Portugal, but many Portuguese organizations across Rhode Island,” said James Ferreira, president of the RI Day of Portugal Committee.
“These are the people who roll up their sleeves, the ones in the kitchen, cleaning up, setting up, and making things happen,” he added. “They represent the true spirit of service and community, and I’m deeply grateful for their dedication.”
The 49th Annual Rhode Island Day of Portugal Parade will step off Sunday, June 7 at 3 p.m. from the Rhode Island State House. It will proceed to Smith Street Terrace, Canal Street, Memorial Boulevard and South Water Street, and end at 195 District Park.
From Clube Juventude Lusitana to RI Day of Portugal, Martins’ leadership, cultural preservation and community impact
Martins, a native of Maputo, Mozambique, has dedicated her life to preserving and promoting Portuguese culture in Rhode Island through leadership, education and the arts.
“Maria João’s lifelong commitment to service, cultural preservation, and community pride embodies the spirit of Portugal — resilient, vibrant, and deeply rooted in tradition,” according to RI Day of Portugal officials.
Martins joined the Clube Juventude Lusitana at age seven, later mentoring students and strengthening its cultural programs.
After studying at the University of Coimbra, she returned to Rhode Island and served the organization in multiple roles, including secretary, public relations officer and interim director of its Portuguese school, where she led a successful transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A recognized photographer, Maria João has earned several awards, including honors from the Pawtucket Annual Mayor’s Calendar.
For more than 15 years, she has volunteered with the Rhode Island Day of Portugal, serving as art and culture coordinator and organizing exhibits across the state. Her 2025 exhibit at the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket marked the first presentation of Portuguese history and culture at the Smithsonian-affiliated site.
Martins said she was grateful and honored to serve as grand marshal.
“Thank you to the RI Day of Portugal directors, members, and the community for this meaningful recognition,” Martins said. “Let us continue to stay united through our roots and traditions, preserving our heritage for future generations.”
Furtado honored for ‘quiet dedication, cultural pride, and a heart that leads through action’
Born in Pawtucket, Furtado has spent more than 40 years dedicated to community service and preserving Portuguese traditions in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.
“Those who know him speak of a man with a big heart, a gentle spirit, and a deep sense of responsibility to the people and traditions he serves,” RI Day of Portugal officials said, noting that he has never sought recognition for his efforts.
“His service has always been rooted in sincerity and a genuine desire to give back,” they added. “His lifelong commitment to service reflects the very best of our community — quiet dedication, cultural pride, and a heart that leads through action.”
A second-generation Portuguese American, Furtado began volunteering at age 15 at churches and cultural organizations, including St. Anthony’s Church, Our Lady of Fatima Church in Rhode Island and the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of New England in Fall River.
He has also supported several Portuguese clubs, including the Pawtucket Social Club and Clube Juventude Lusitana, earning a reputation for reliability and quiet dedication.
In addition to his volunteer work, the Lincoln High School graduate built a lifelong career in construction, starting at age 16.
“Thank you to RI Day of Portugal, and thank you to the community,” said Furtado after learning he would be co-grand marshal of the 2026 RI Day of Portugal Parade. “I’m grateful to be part of your families, and I hope our culture continues to grow for generations to come.”
BRISTOL, R.I. (WJAR) — A bill that puts restrictions on self-checkout lanes is headed to the Rhode Island House of Representatives.
The legislation would require grocery stores to have one staffed checkout lane for every three self-checkouts.
The bill was passed by the Rhode Island Senate on May 21.
Senate President Valarie Lawson said it is to help cashiers, as well as customers who may struggle with checking out their groceries, and Rep. Megan Cotter said the bill is about both cashier and customer protection.
Coastal ABC’s Cate Hanewich spoke with customers about the bill. (WJAR)
However, Scott Bromberg, executive director of the Rhode Island Food Dealers Association, sees the bill in a different way.
Bromberg said he does not want limitations on self-checkout, and that consumers want the fast-shopping experience that self-checkout has to offer.
“The way modern consumers shop has changed, and they want a faster checkout,” he said.
However, Cotter claims that consumers want staffed registers.
Bristol resident Alan Gorbutt agrees and said he does not like self-checkout.
“I like the old-fashioned way. Just go to the regular checkout, seeing the regular lady with the happy smile. I get my groceries that way,” Gorbutt said.
Shopper Christine Auserwald said she will go between the two options but has a preference.
“I prefer manual checkout, but if the lines are too long, I do go to self-checkout,” Auserwald said.
Other customers said they only use self-checkout.
“More convenient, I’m mostly, in and out,” one shopper said.
Bromberg also voiced concern that the bill only limits grocery stores.
Customers using the self-checkout lanes. (WJAR)
“Right now, self-checkout is everywhere you can think of. It’s in hardware stores. It’s in pharmacies, dollars stores, craft stores, discount stores. And we just don’t understand why it only applies to grocery stores,” Bromberg said.
However, Cotter said the bill also includes retail stores Target and Walmart.
If passed, Rhode Island would be the first state in the country to have a statewide restriction on self-checkout.
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