City Council to raise Palestinian flag at Providence City Hall on Friday

The Providence City Council announced that the City will raise the Palestinian flag at the Providence City Hall on Friday.

“You’re invited to a Palestinian flag raising at City Hall this Friday, May 16! Elected officials and community members will deliver remarks on the steps out front at 12 pm. Join us!”

“In Providence, the executive branch and City Council are two separate branches of government,” stated Josh Estrella, a spokesman for Providence Mayor Brett Smiley.” The Providence City Council, not Mayor Smiley’s office, will be raising the Palestinian flag on Friday.”

Providence City Councilor Miguel Sanchez has been the most vocal advocate for Palestine. On October 17, 2023, Sanchez posted on X in response to the Gaza hospital explosion:

“The US is actively aiding in a genocide and they want us to look the other way we all need be calling for immediate deescalation and cease-fire in Israel and occupied Palestine.”

On October 30, 2023, after being fired from his role in Governor McKee’s office for his pro-Palestine stance, Sanchez stated:

“On Friday, I was fired by Governor McKee for my public position on the atrocities occurring in Gaza. Since Oct. 7, I have used my voice as an elected official to condemn all violence against any innocent civilians. As Israel continues to escalate its massacre in Gaza, the need to speak out for innocent Palestinian civilians has never been more urgent—regardless of personal consequences. I join the 80% of Democrats who support a ceasefire and the increasing number of elected officials who are speaking out in favor of de-escalation. Gov. McKee may have taken away my job, but he won’t pressure me into silence while a genocide is occurring in front of our eyes.”

Commenting on a pro-Palestine rally he attended on October 21, 2023, Sanchez wrote:

“Prov did not disappoint. Yesterday, I marched with thousands of people calling for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the occupation.”