Raymond Baccari
Editor-in-Chief
Multiple packets that contained racist and homophobic material were found outside of Thorp Hall Wednesday.
RIC President, Dr. Jack Warner, informed the campus community of this via email. He explained the literature that was found were similar to the antisemitic flyers being circulated in North Providence, Newport and Warwick and “seem to be part of a pattern of behavior targeting marginalized peoples and communities.”
“I want to assure you that there is no place on our campus for this kind of hate and we will do everything within our power to protect our campus community,” Warner said.
The Anchor were told by the college that these packets were first found by a student at around 10 a.m. on Wednesday. After this student contacted Campus Police, the officer who came to the scene saw a few more on the southerly sidewalk on College Road.
Afterward, Campus Police contacted the Attorney General’s office, the Providence Police Department and Rhode Island’s State Fusion Center. Warner’s email states that “Their investigation is ongoing,” and urges anyone who “has information regarding the origin or distribution of these materials, please contact Campus Police immediately at 456-8888.”
The Black Lives Matter RI PAC put out a statement Friday responding to this news.
“This most recent incident at Rhode Island College near their residence halls is another example of bigotry on the rise in our state,” the statement said. “We support and echo Rhode Island College’s administration’s actions for removing and condemning the literature that was placed on their campus. A place of higher education has no room for hate.”
The BLM RI PAC are also calling on the Attorney General’s office and Providence Police Department “to do a thorough investigation as to who placed this literature about the campus,” and for anyone who may have seen who did it “to report it to the proper authorities.”
Warner also highlighted resources both on and off campus which are available for anyone who feels harmed by this incident of hate:
The Unity Center, which is a safe space for everybody on campus. The Unity Center is located on the ground floor in Donovan Dining Center. They also have a list of organizations outside of RIC that support both the LGBTQ+ and Black communities.
Free Counseling services at The Center for Health and Wellness by appointment. Their phone number is 401-456-8094.
And the H.O.P.E. Line, which is available 24/7 for students to speak with a licensed clinician, and it is all confidential. The phone number is 401-456-4673.
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