The first public hearing to discuss the Columbus statue that was taken down in Providence is today, Tuesday, July 7, 9am. Public comment will be heard.
Here are the details:
Zoom meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/99104345409
Meeting ID: 972 2043 5312
Password: 615682
Call-in: (646) 876-9923
At this time petitioners, it is vital that we are a strong voice to the Board of Parks Commissioners that we do not accept the reinstatement of the statue on Elmwood Avenue. Call in during the meeting and let them know how you personally feel about the statue, where you think it should be moved to, such as permanent storage, a museum etc. And, since the Board of Parks Commissioners will be making the final decision, pointedly ask the board to follow the advice of the advisory comittee THEY VOTED IN FAVOR Of. Get them to publically commit to following the advice of the Special Committee for the review of Commemorative works in regards to the statue to the best of their abilities.
This post with more details about the meeting is thanks to RI Rights:
The first official Providence city meeting related to the removed statue of Columbus is happening at 9am Tuesday, with public comment. The statue is currently in storage, waiting for a decision about whether to put it back up, or display it in a different context, or not display it at all. Mayor Elorza, who ordered the statue to be removed for now, has said that a new Special Committee on Commemorative Works will make recommendations about the Columbus statue and other monuments, but that special committee is only advisory and has not met yet. The final decision about the statue, according to Mayor Elorza, will be taken by the Board of Park Commissioners which he chairs, and that board is having a meeting Tuesday morning online. At Tuesday morning's meeting, they will take public comment, hear an update on the status of the Columbus statue, and discuss the issue a little, as well as consider other issues about parks.
Here's the agenda:
Board of Park Commissioners Regular Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
9:00 A.M.
BOARD MEMBERS
Chairman Mayor Jorge O. Elorza
Councilman John J. Igliozzi
Councilman Nicholas Narducci
Commissioner Elli Panichas
Commissioner Sara McConnell
Commissioner Marilyn Cepeda-Andujar
Commissioner Elizabeth Gordon-Martin
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF JUNE 2, 2020 MEETING MINUTES
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
V. AUTHORIZATION TO NEGOTIATE THE EXCHANGE OF APPROXIMATELY 7,500 S.F. OF LINCOLN SCHOOL PROPERTY, PLAT 4, LOT 196 WITH A LIKE PARCEL OF APPROXIMATELY 7,500 S.F. OF PROVIDENCE PARKS DEPARTMENT PROPERTY PLAT 4, LOT 142. Wendy Nilsson, Parks Superintendent. Discussion and Vote.
VI. AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT THE MICHAEL VAN LEESTEN PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE AS A CITY OF PROVIDENCE PUBLIC PARK. Wendy Nilsson, Parks Superintendent. Discussion and Vote.
VII. UPDATE ON STATUS OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS STATUE. Wendy Nilsson, Parks Superintendent. Discussion.
VIII. UPDATE ON WORKSHARE PROGRAM. Wendy Nilsson, Parks Superintendent. Discussion.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
PER ORDER THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, Chairman
The foregoing Committee may seek to enter into Executive Session."