Steve Ahlquist

Providence continues protesting U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in national day of action “This fight is bigger than one president," said Sterk Zaza. "It is about ending a system that profits from death and destruction. It is about creating a new world where we have dignity."

Providence continues protesting U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in national day of action

“This fight is bigger than one president," said Sterk Zaza. "It is about ending a system that profits from death and destruction. It is about creating a new world where we have dignity."

Crowne Plaza under fire for hosting hard-right extremist Turning Point USA event "Many Rhode Islanders... will be shocked and dismayed that the hotel is choosing to host a rally featuring individuals whose rhetoric and actions undermine democratic values..."

Crowne Plaza under fire for hosting hard-right extremist Turning Point USA event

"Many Rhode Islanders... will be shocked and dismayed that the hotel is choosing to host a rally featuring individuals whose rhetoric and actions undermine democratic values..."

I like her plan of vacant commercial properties - EG has vacancy rates on commercial property and they just sit empty for years. Developers will say its too expensive to repurpose but developers say that about anything that could be helpful

Steve Ahlquist text: In response to Foulkes’ Rhode Home Program, Daniel Denvir, co-chair of Reclaim RI, issued the following statement: “We are pleased to see that the Rhode Home Program could lead to a significant investment in public development of housing. Montgomery County, Maryland, and Atlanta provide promising models, and we are glad to see that Helena Foulkes is ready to learn from them. It’s beyond clear that the private sector cannot solve Rhode Island’s housing crisis on its own. But we need to see more details to ensure that this program would not transfer public funds into private hands: the public should always receive an ownership stake commensurate with public dollars invested. We’d also like to see explicit investment in the state’s public housing authorities, which have long led the way on housing the people who need it the most. We are, however, deeply concerned about the seeming endorsement of the HOPE VI program, which has led to a major net reduction in total public housing units available to the poorest Americans.

per Reclaim RI+Dan Denvir there's concerns about this being an endorsement of HOPE VI (from @steveahlquist.bsky.social) but we'll see if/how Foulkes responds

At some point a truck (you can see the tire print in the first picture) dumped a bunch of snow and ice chunks by my house, blocking the sidewalk I spent three days of my life keeping clear. Thanks Providence! BTW, my street is open people residents cleared it, not the city.

Gubernatorial candidate Foulkes introduces housing plan; Reclaim RI responds “Housing in Rhode Island costs too much because we lack an adequate supply, and under this governor, we’re 50th in the nation in new home starts," said Helena Buonanno Foulkes.

Gubernatorial candidate Foulkes introduces housing plan; Reclaim RI responds

“Housing in Rhode Island costs too much because we lack an adequate supply, and under this governor, we’re 50th in the nation in new home starts," said Helena Buonanno Foulkes.

steveahlquist.substack.com/p/gubernator...

“As conservative policies move away from a politics of social investment to one of social containment, state services are hollowed out and reduced to their more repressive functions — discipline, control, and surveillance.” Henry Giroux

... That’s why our struggles for justice at home are bound up with our commitment to peace everywhere. We continue to fight for a Rhode Island where everyone secures their right to a dignified life and home, and a world where global cooperation forms the foundations of durable peace."

...Warmongering abroad distracts from —and intensifies—the cost of living crisis and deepening inequality and injustice at home. There seems to be endless money for bombs and drones, but never enough for housing and healthcare...

...Our state’s congressional delegation has laudably criticized this new war but has often failed to speak out clearly against US militarism—including US sponsorship of Israel’s genocide in Gaza...

Statement from Reclaim RI:

"Reclaim RI condemns the United States and Israel’s illegal war of aggression against Iran. The US government has consistently chosen lawless militarism with its active support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza, its kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro, and its blockade of Cuba...

Providence joins nationwide emergency actions against U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran "Let’s be clear: The war that Trump has launched this morning against Iran was completely unprovoked and stands in defiance of the overwhelming majority of Americans, who only want peace."

Providence joins nationwide emergency actions against U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran

"Let’s be clear: The war that Trump has launched this morning against Iran was completely unprovoked and stands in defiance of the overwhelming majority of Americans, who only want peace."

At least four people have died in Providence while experiencing homelessness and extreme cold. More will join them if we don’t act, and demand action from the government.

Urgent community response needed. Blizzard of '26 relief - Sleeping bags, food, water, clothing needed now in local encampments. Contact: Dwayne Thibodeau dwaynethibodeau188@gmail.com

Speaker Shekarchi announces his sixth package of housing bills "The sad reality is that there is a direct correlation between rising housing costs and increased homelessness," said Speaker Shekarchi.

Speaker Shekarchi announces his sixth package of housing bills

"The sad reality is that there is a direct correlation between rising housing costs and increased homelessness," said Speaker Shekarchi.

steveahlquist.substack.com/p/speaker-sh...

“The most revolutionary thing one can do is always to proclaim loudly what is happening.”

-Rosa Luxemburg

Hey Mayor Smiley! CVS on Hope Street really wants to be fined for not clearing their sidewalks.

Attorney General coalition challenges Trump Administration's unscientific and dangerous anti-vaccine policies "...for decades, vaccinations have prevented hundreds of millions of cases of illness in this country and have saved Americans trillions of dollars in related expenses..."

Attorney General coalition challenges Trump Administration's unscientific and dangerous anti-vaccine policies

"...for decades, vaccinations have prevented hundreds of millions of cases of illness in this country and have saved Americans trillions of dollars in related expenses..."

Affordable RI to advance public policy solutions that address the state's affordability crisis “While housing and healthcare costs soar, wages remain stagnant. There is a profound disconnect between the debates at the State House and the relief working families actually need."

Affordable RI to advance public policy solutions that address the state’s affordability crisis

“While housing and healthcare costs soar, wages remain stagnant. There is a profound disconnect between the debates at the State House and the relief working families actually need."

My impression is that the land is being given in return for the promise of jobs, and that the land has been contractually promised. But there may be some small financial part to it.

Just words: Rhode Island's environmental justice policy fails in its first major test The plan to turn Morley Field into a parking lot is a textbook example of environmental racism, yet DEM continues to favor the developer over the community.

Update: This week’s meeting of the Pawtucket City Council has been delayed until next week.

steveahlquist.substack.com/p/just-words...

This is my neighborhood. I’m so angry about this. The mayor needs to go.

This is disgusting. What does the neighborhood get, a mega concrete fortress.

- Thank you for your reporting @steveahlquist.bsky.social

#SaveMorleyField

New from me: I spoke with @sethmagaziner.bsky.social about his visit to the Wyatt Detention Facility, in Central Falls, last week.

As of the last publicly disclosed head-count, there are over 100 ICE detainees held there.

Just words: Rhode Island's environmental justice policy fails in its first major test The plan to turn Morley Field into a parking lot is a textbook example of environmental racism, yet DEM continues to favor the developer over the community.

Just words: Rhode Island's environmental justice policy fails in its first major test

The plan to turn Morley Field into a parking lot is a textbook example of environmental racism, yet DEM continues to favor the developer over the community.

steveahlquist.substack.com/p/just-words...

Phil Eil: U.S. Rep Seth Magaziner provides details on his visit with ICE detainees at the Wyatt "What did disturb me the most, I would say, is, in talking to some of the detainees, it was just clear that a lot of them are people who don’t need to be there."

Phil Eil: U.S. Rep Seth Magaziner provides details on his visit with ICE detainees at the Wyatt

"What did disturb me the most, I would say, is, in talking to some of the detainees, it was just clear that a lot of them are people who don’t need to be there."

That's the photo he sent me.

Cameron Moquin to challenge Samuel Bell for the District 5 State Senate seat "I believe it is time for Bell to pass the torch," said Moquin.

Cameron Moquin to challenge Samuel Bell for the District 5 State Senate seat

"I believe it is time for Bell to pass the torch," said Moquin.

steveahlquist.substack.com/p/cameron-mo...