Providence voters overwhelmingly approve divestment ballot measure

Providence Voters Approve Divestment Ballot Measure

“It’s an enormous demonstration of what we already knew going into the campaign, which is that the people are with Palestine,” Zack Kligler, an organizer with Providence for Palestine, stated on Tuesday night at Salon during a gathering to watch the returns on the divestment initiative.

Providence voters overwhelmingly approved a citizen-led ballot proposal on Tuesday night that aims to restrict municipal investments connected to severe human rights violations abroad. Question 7 received over 76% support, translating to 20,925 votes overall as of 8:53 p.m., with 76 of 82 precincts reporting.

Citizen Petition Drive Forces Providence Vote

The measure arrived on the November ballot through a citizen petition drive spearheaded by Providence for Palestine. After the City Council declined to enact the proposed ordinance, a coalition of progressive organizations gathered more than 6,000 verified signatures to force the vote. While the proposal does not name Israel directly, both opponents and proponents have identified the country’s military actions in Gaza as the impetus for the measure, Rhode Island Current reported.

Instagram

Divided City Leadership Over Ordinance Legality

City leaders remain sharply divided over the upcoming vote. The initiative is backed by Mayor-elect David Morales, whereas Dave Talan, his Republican challenger during the general election, took a stand against it. Meanwhile, outgoing Mayor Brett Smiley’s administration had concerns about the legality of the ordinance.

Ahead of the election, the city commissioned retired federal judge William Smith to review the proposal, according to WPRI reporting from October 29. In an October 23 memo, the retired judge concluded that the ordinance was likely unenforceable and could lead to litigation over its pension investments.

Kligler Dismisses Legal and Financial Warnings as Fear-Mongering

Supporters dismiss those warnings. Kligler characterized the current administration’s stated concerns as legal and financial fear-mongering during Tuesday night’s watch party.

“The truth is that this ordinance was written with the guidance of legal and financial experts who have done this before in other cities to ensure that it is enforceable and also can be carried out in a step by step process that prioritizes the worst offenders,” Kligler said.

Proponents also maintain that the measure was written to accommodate the city’s fiduciary obligations to its pensioners. Rabbi Lex Rofeberg of Providence was confident at the watch party that the ordinance would take effect.

“This is binding. This will be enforced, especially because we have a mayor who supports it and a city council full of people who support it,” Rabbi Lex Rofeberg said.