Today I visited the Providence Parks Department office, located in the Dalrymple Boathouse in Rodger Williams Park on 1000 Elmwood Avenue 02907.

I was hoping to speak with the remaining members of the Board of Parks Commissioners that have not yet responded to my request that they commit to following the recommendations of the Special Committee for Commemorative Works on the Columbus statue when the fate of the statue falls in their hands. 

Unfortunately, they were not there. And I was told they typically only convene there for scheduled meetings. The person who answered the door also declined to take the letters I had brought in such an event that I couldn't speak with the Board Members. So I mailed them instead.

The Board of Parks Commissioners must understand that they haven't won some sort of power lottery where they get to make a decision on the statue based on their personal feelings and judgments. They are there solely to steward the judgement of the Special Committee for the review of Commemorative Works. If they do not recognize the authority of this new commitee, then it's entire formation has been a joke and a mockery of every person whose worked towards this moment.

I encourage everyone to reach out to the members of the Board of Parks Commissioners (contact information below) and let them know you expect them to follow the direction of the Special Committee for the review of Commemorative Works. Let them know they can not hide from the public eye. That we are watching them, and we are prepared to fight as long as it takes to make sure justice is served for our indigenous communities.

The Board of Parks Commissioners is comprised of the following members:

Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, Chair
Elizabeth Gordon Martin
Marilyn Cepeda-Sanchez
Elli Panichas
Sara Shea McConnell
Councilman Nicholas Narducci, Jr. Ward 4
Councilman John Igliozzi Ward 7

Contact Mayor Jorge Elorza and let him know that the Board of Parks Commissioners must follow the advice of the Special Committee when they make a judgement about the statue.

Phone: 401.421.2489
Email: https://www.providenceri.gov/mayor/mayors-office-contact-us/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MayorJorgeElorza/

You can also contact Council members  Nicholas Narducci of Ward 4 and John Igliozzi Ward 7. Ask them for their commitment to follow the advice of the special advisory commitee on the Columbus statue when the decision lands at their feet as the members of the Board of Parks Commissioners or recuse themselves. 

Email Narducci and Igliozzi here:
https://council.providenceri.gov/connect/contact-us/

Email Board member Marilyn Cepeda-Sanchez here: marilyncepeda908@gmail.com

Email Board member Elli Panichas here: ellipanichas@gmail.com

Write to the office of the Board of Parks Commissioners:

Providence Parks Department
Dalrymple Boathouse Rodger Williams Park
1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907