[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6628270,"mediaKeyId","2718438-03712e8a22972fcc0c9fb46bb961187c","parentId",2718438,"title","Commission coordinator reports grant applications, training events and recent bias incidents","audioSeconds",270,"startMs",200000,"endMs",470000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2718438-03712e8a22972fcc0c9fb46bb961187c&start=200&end=470","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2718438-03712e8a22972fcc0c9fb46bb961187c/thumbnail_200000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6628270/Rhode-Island/Commission-coordinator-reports-grant-applications-training-events-and-recent-bias-incidents","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628270-71b7cc10fc3ba42e72b998c5d6946d48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153651&Signature=boByzONb66rU~p7NXbPJ3UsVo0HmIxDPGWf0PoyydVTI1gu49skm1APMoM2bDFkzEW8v5UlKa4zGBqkEZbtuK99Auf98qCM6lg15tAymMdsxf8qCZTvf-9VmzCfJuI6czZjEf5OcayyGOuMprhF9BCGixwRZ6xvuKy7C-wFhmx-JyrysSfqpeBx7Ymf1~woOFmbli4xVD4p5gvTZ-0KHeyeX~~vyDfhJmrKvmkB-Osqp~w5cLC2~CalD0NY9WsgN~dO-x5-IZ13umPaXsb74RwBeqU5jJm3LBxUvhG0HRycJyULWK7c0zJvRWhgLiN1JlXOttCpX~6TRD2RQ1JXvkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Rhode Island","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","Jen, the commission coordinator, reported that the Hate Crime Training Program remains primarily funded through grants and that the commission applied for a Byrne Justice Assistance Grant via the Rhode Island Public Safety Grants Administration with the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence serving as fiscal agent. She told commissioners that the Department of Administration funding has begun flowing and that federal Bureau of Justice Assistance funds continue to be disbursed.

Program activities

- Municipal academy: The commission held a municipal academy training on Feb. 27 at CCRI in Lincoln. Commissioners Taylor Dumpson Lippincott and Jordan Mickman led sessions; Commissioner Scott presented on unbiased policing. Guest presenters included Monique Paul from the TGI Network and Omar Baugh from the Refugee Dream Center.

- Upcoming trainings: Jen said Day 1 advocates will receive private training on March 30 and that a state police training is scheduled for June 20 in Foster. She encouraged commissioners who have not yet attended to participate where possible; daylong sessions can provide context on the program’s work.

Incidents reported to the commission

Jen said the commission received a handful of incident reports since the last meeting, including:
- Distribution of recruitment literature attributed to the Proud Boys in Coventry. Local police were notified and advised residents to discard the literature.
- A reported incident involving violence at or involving a group home; the reporting party did not follow up after initial contact with commission staff.
- A Warwick parent reporting ongoing discrimination at a Warwick school against a neurodivergent child; the parent was given resources and did not feel a police report was appropriate at that time.
- A previously reported church arson matter (Shiloh Temple Gospel) remains under discussion with community contacts; a reported defendant’s trial was mentioned but no new official update was provided by the commission.

Grant administration and partners

Jen said the commission was named as a subrecipient on a four-year Bureau of Justice Assistance grant alongside the Center for Southeast Asians, the Jewish Alliance, Youth Pride Inc., and the Nonviolence Institute to provide community education. She noted quarterly reporting timelines and thanked partners who provided letters of support for the Byrne JAG application, including the Attorney General’s Office, the Police Chiefs Association, Youth Pride, the Jewish Alliance, the Center for Southeast Asians, and the Refugee Dream Center.

Commission discussion and next steps

Commissioners asked Jen to flag incidents that occur within specific legislative districts so legislators can be notified. Representative Michael Chibendale recommended establishing a listserv or proactive distribution so legislators and legislative leadership routinely receive reports and minutes. Jen said she would provide a compiled legislators’ email list to help distribute approved minutes and incident summaries if the commission approves that step.

Quotation

\"The Hate Crime Training Program is still unfunded,\" Jen said, and described the three funding streams the commission is tracking: Byrne JAG, VOCA/other federal funds, and state Department of Administration allocations.

Context and follow-up

The commission asked staff to continue compiling incident reports, to prepare quarterly reports for the commission’s records, and to work with legislative members to improve distribution of information when appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","RI Commission on Prejudice & Bias: 3-20-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commission staff reported the Hate Crime Training Program remains largely grant-funded, recapped recent trainings and partners, and summarized recent bias-related incidents reported to the commission.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature RI, Rhode Island","taxId",77689,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628279,"Commission approves $100,000 funding request, backs two immigration-related bills and three policy resolutions",2298,5761000,3463000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2718438-03712e8a22972fcc0c9fb46bb961187c&start=5761&end=3463","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2718438-03712e8a22972fcc0c9fb46bb961187c/thumbnail_5761000.jpg","/articles/6628279/Rhode-Island/Commission-approves-100000-funding-request-backs-two-immigration-related-bills-and-three-policy-resolutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628279-630ffd81c2f318064d628e07ff22f3be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153651&Signature=c4sG2oUV4x7EEvSrYggfI3oUJ0yMQM04shOGDD7-LK8mgz5gUSmJX33PML661TFFqNKd53~Y9tr~FK5rILY1bi-DXvEreHlV3szcpjS9qsil6bsqWiGd0Kw9JEH0FlIgV~KMbsZN3RQ~Hc3Jp459EVQYHI1idXYcXJZnh37~1yYdpjRulZL8CdHMAfjU9eXar3HBJzPiix~rlKVTRR8ehanh8aYAcOZitqMHBy7yVGjZxBdjZJDXOIM0i44PoQGjMBag9EItA5Q4~JE~N8GKmhcVIt~fEMWSQwcymVmfDJUHE3U-VcyJG0wj-8e-Am1zQgVZPTOYKWwerZY1W1nJcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rhode Island Commission on Prejudice and Bias members voted to send a funding resolution asking the General Assembly to allocate $100,000 to support the commission's work, and separately approved letters of support or endorsement for several bills and community resolutions, the body decided at its March meeting.

The vote on the funding resolution instructs staff to send the draft to the House with any cleanup edits and to prepare a companion Senate version; the motion to approve was made by Taylor Dumpson Lippincott and seconded by Allison Fonseca. Commissioners then recorded formal recommendations to send letters supporting legislation and community resolutions related to immigration consequences for misdemeanors, protections for tenants' immigration status, the Crown Act (hair discrimination protections in schools), and a community LGBTQA resolution.

Why it matters: the commission administers hate-crime training and community education programs; moving the funding request into the legislative process is intended to create a stable, visible line item after years of primarily grant-based support. The commission also used its meeting to register its views on bills the membership said intersect with the commission’s mission to study and report on prejudice and hatred in Rhode Island.

What the commission approved

- Funding resolution: The commission approved a motion to send a resolution requesting $100,000 to be added to the state budget to support the commission’s operations and training work, and to prepare a Senate version as well. Taylor Dumpson Lippincott moved the motion; Allison Fonseca seconded. The motion passed.

- Letters of support for legislation: The commission voted to recommend letters in support of two legislative packages discussed during the meeting: Senate Bill 63 / House Bill 5502 (a statutory change defining a misdemeanor so that the maximum term is less than one year) and House Bill 5674 / Senate Bill 274 (prohibiting landlords from asking tenants or applicants about immigration status). Commissioners discussed policy details and asked staff to workshop statutory language where needed before final letters are sent.

- Crown Act (education version): The commission voted to support a bill that would add hair type and texture to protected classifications in school contexts. The motion passed with two abstentions.

- Community/LGBTQA resolution: The commission approved sending a joint community letter/resolution requested by community groups and the Woman Project; members voted in favor.

Votes and recorded roll calls

Where the transcript records a roll call, the commission recorded member votes as follows (as read aloud during the meeting):
- On Senate Bill 63 / House Bill 5502 (support letter): Senator Tiara Mac — aye; Allison Fonseca — abstain; Representative Michael Chibendale — abstain; Chair Joe Reddish — aye; Rabbi Preston Niemeyer — aye; Taylor Dumpson Lippincott — abstain; Kanika Pook — aye; Jim Vincent — aye; Tricia Driscoll — aye; Jordan Mickman/McMillan — abstain. The commission indicated that it would send a letter in support.

- On House Bill 5674 / Senate Bill 274 (tenant immigration inquiries): roll call similarly recorded a majority in favor with several abstentions; commissioners asked staff and bill sponsors to workshop language around enforcement and the intersection with the Commission for Human Rights to ensure the statutory placement will achieve the intended protections.

- On the Crown Act (education scope): roll call recorded passage of the commission’s support with two abstentions.

What commissioners said

Commission Chair Joe Reddish asked that motions include names to make minute-taking easier; he presided over the votes. Taylor Dumpson Lippincott moved the omnibus funding/legislative motion, saying, “I, Taylor Dumpson Lippincott, move to do all of those things.” Allison Fonseca seconded: “I, Allison Fonseca, second that.”

Several commissioners and outside presenters urged workshops or statutory edits prior to final letters so the bills will function as intended and not create enforcement gaps. Representative Michael Chibendale, who participates as a commission member, pressed for proactive distribution of commission reports and incident summaries to legislative offices and suggested inviting legislators to observe training.

Next steps

Commission staff will finalize the funding resolution (including the $100,000 figure) and prepare a Senate version. Staff will also compile edits discussed in the meeting and work with sponsors and stakeholders on technical amendments to the tenant/immigration and misdemeanor bills before sending formal letters of support.

Notes: This article summarizes formal actions recorded in the meeting and the roll-call excerpts read into the record. The commission indicated it will send letters and follow up with workshop edits before publication of final letters.","Rhode Island Commission on Prejudice and Bias members voted to send a funding resolution requesting $100,000 to the legislature and approved letters of support for several bills and a community resolution.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628265,"Woman Project warns of organized anti-LGBTQ and school-policy campaigns; commission approves joint resolution letter",566,4923000,5489000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2718438-03712e8a22972fcc0c9fb46bb961187c&start=4923&end=5489","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2718438-03712e8a22972fcc0c9fb46bb961187c/thumbnail_4923000.jpg","/articles/6628265/Rhode-Island/Woman-Project-warns-of-organized-anti-LGBTQ-and-school-policy-campaigns-commission-approves-joint-resolution-letter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628265-0299ea151ac76362ff42322cb626b05f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153651&Signature=J2C2lQvFZBWCUkrgKogMg5vAbFkaYyPMTFMV10Gw380hQZZ0M978bof0nXLWlccEH1UTPNmplp3BzuchWkcZFgQUSS6nINRFBP72U7KJjm0RbLy0UddahjatuoL6KsZjrYz7sAlaeKlWBfznsdiI6KCkn~DINpVo5AB3sfo3B2Ks8FdysafWnlzlXLnwJ3ZXH7JHVzMGswuyW0ZAYL50zcy948OAU03o4LTwuefPX9L1GDbIPjokc8tL~ZQiMI6YTa3WG4cpL0XTQXK2lQfS~eo-QeE3Pt~B1EigvGrVSJ9scbjti14Zy4jv2rogbEKV3mH-fBzuH-EdfIwjV8k4hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jocelyn Foy, executive director of the Woman Project, told the commission the organization has tracked far-right organizing that is influencing school committees across Rhode Island and driving policy pushes that the Woman Project and its partners view as harmful to students and to reproductive and LGBTQIA rights.

Foy said organizers from out of state and funded outside groups have targeted school boards and school policies in multiple districts, and that local campaigns have resulted in contested school committee races and policy challenges. \"There is an agenda that's being pushed by an outside entity on a number of packs and a number of not for profits that are putting a ton of money into Rhode Island,\" she said.

Why it matters: presenters warned that the organizing affects school climate, student privacy and health supports, and the capacity of local districts to implement Department of Education guidance. The Woman Project asked the commission to sign a community resolution drafted by LGBTQA Action Rhode Island; commissioners discussed symbolic endorsement and practical next steps for community education.

Commission action and discussion

- The commission approved sending a joint community letter/resolution supporting LGBTQA protections and called for further public engagement. Members also discussed the commission’s prior role in adding sexual orientation protections to the hate-crime statute and framed the current request as consistent with the commission’s mission.

- Commissioners suggested the commission and the Attorney General’s Office consider public town-hall events and other accessible forums to explain legal protections and how state law applies to school policies. Several commissioners offered to help publicize and host community-facing events.

Quotation

\"Please let us know,\" Jocelyn Foy said, urging the commission to post accessible reports and to partner with community groups on outreach.

Next steps

Staff will include the community letter in the commission packet and publish the approved resolution on the commission’s website. Commissioners encouraged continued outreach to local districts and asked that the commission invite additional providers and youth-serving organizations to give testimony at future meetings.","The Woman Project described coordinated activity by outside groups affecting school committees and urged the commission to support community protections; the commission approved a joint resolution/letter backing local LGBTQA protections and discussed partnering on outreach and education.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628275,"Attorney General outlines state litigation strategy against federal actions, urges public education and support for civil legal work",211,3601000,3812000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2718438-03712e8a22972fcc0c9fb46bb961187c&start=3601&end=3812","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2718438-03712e8a22972fcc0c9fb46bb961187c/thumbnail_3601000.jpg","/articles/6628275/Rhode-Island/Attorney-General-outlines-state-litigation-strategy-against-federal-actions-urges-public-education-and-support-for-civil-legal-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628275-70c6fa9560823585416bdd6f5d1807b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153651&Signature=VR1YGhKh71QIykteUWO-MydVKLU-JSI9bapzthZa7ImRHAOTNYW0iiTya3~kUZeCEjduZ~Tq~k7ruyg9Gt5EMTXXQK~zoVyYEdOJgtDIRghO71TBkutBPPMnVh2P6OqHaBOPkRPb5F34cgp1VXFF6oze0lX-IiVsSw48DEdhP20EeNQPCCadr7YVfpLMtaYKCo52lJRMPDgwxEQJZP3~Q3At9Ez8SiZbmkcwY0OAYq0XMBcsEZuaxyti~PWIqXYm8Fz3~PzXYM5eQTJSDtd-sKxY7bWRTmxjHpebIOcuOKSpPWQ1HmZc5KG3-ZIPhLw-PqM72bwI9UfyI82hF3aJ2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Attorney General Peter Neronha told the Rhode Island Commission on Prejudice and Bias that his office is pursuing suits against the federal administration when (1) the administration's action is demonstrably unlawful, (2) the action harms Rhode Islanders, and (3) the state has legal standing to sue.

Neronha described recent litigation and legal posture. He said the office joined cases challenging an executive-order effort to end birthright citizenship and a separate action when the administration sought to freeze federal funding that would otherwise flow to Rhode Island. \"We believed that the president's attempt to do away with birthright citizenship by executive order directly violated the Fourteenth Amendment,\" Neronha said, and his office joined other state lawsuits. He said the funding action included Medicaid and other federal dollars and that his office's filings sought to protect funds the state relies on.

Why it matters: the attorney general framed those actions as protecting Rhode Island's legal and fiscal interests — Medicaid and other federal receipts contribute to state services — and described the office's criteria for intervention. He urged public and gubernatorial support for additional resources to expand the civil team that brings such lawsuits.

Details and examples

- Birthright citizenship: Neronha said the administration’s effort to overturn birthright citizenship would violate the Fourteenth Amendment and that Rhode Island joined litigation in federal court challenging the executive action.

- Funding freeze: Neronha said the administration attempted to pause or freeze federal funds, including Medicaid reimbursements; Rhode Island’s Medicaid office was, he said, unable to draw down funds during that pause. He cited an affidavit by a state official documenting the inability to draw funds and said the team filed suit quickly with other states.

- Broader posture: Neronha described a three-part rubric the office uses to decide whether to sue: illegality, harm to Rhode Islanders, and standing as a state to sue on behalf of the state. He framed the office’s civil team as intentionally staffed to litigate on offense as well as to defend state agencies.

- Resources and next steps: Neronha said the office has had near-universal success in federal courts so far and urged the governor and the public to support expanding the attorney general’s budget for civil litigation. He cited Hawaii as an example where the governor provided $5 million to the attorney general’s office for similar work.

Commission response

Commissioners thanked the attorney general for the update and several members encouraged additional public-facing events and town halls to explain federal litigation implications for Medicaid and other services to constituents. Commissioner Joe Reddish and other commissioners urged that the commission consider partnering on public education events.

Quotation

\"If we don't fight back and the president sidelines the Congress and turns them into either conspirators of silence or people who can do nothing but wail, and then undermines the judiciary...we all lose,\" Neronha said, arguing for the necessity of state legal action.

Context and next steps

Neronha said the office intends to continue identifying cases that meet the three-part rubric and to bring them rapidly, and he asked the commission to consider public engagement partnerships. He also asked for increased appropriations to hire additional civil litigators to sustain and expand these challenges.","Attorney General Peter Neronha described why the office brings actions against the federal administration, outlined recent lawsuits (including challenges to attempted funding freezes and birthright-citizenship actions), and asked for broader public support for increased resources to sustain these legal efforts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission coordinator reports grant applications, training events and recent bias incidents

Commission approves $100,000 funding request, backs two immigration-related bills and three policy resolutions

Woman Project warns of organized anti-LGBTQ and school-policy campaigns; commission approves joint resolution letter

Attorney General outlines state litigation strategy against federal actions, urges public education and support for civil legal work