activism

Driscoll heading to new gig, with Organizing for Action

Ian Donnis — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:48:09 +0000

Devin Driscoll, communications head for Rhode Islanders United for Marriage -- which led the grassroots campaign to legalize same-sex marriage -- is heading to a new job, as the Chicago-based Northeast regional director for Organizing for Action, the Democratic effort formerly known as Obama for America.

TGIF: 14 Things to Know About Rhode Island Politics + Media

Ian Donnis — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:22:45 +0000

May rolls in with history being made in Rhode Island. Welcome back to my weekly column. As always, your thoughts and tips are welcome at idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org. Let's head in:

Political Roundtable: Sullivan on How the Battle for Same-Sex Marriage Was Won

Ian Donnis — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Ray Sullivan, the head of Rhode Islanders United for Marriage, joins the Roundtable this week to discuss the state Senate vote in favor of same-sex marriage; concerns about the impact on religious institutions; how the battle was won, and other issues.

Same-Sex Marriage Supporters Ramping Up Grassroots Campaign in Home Stretch

Ian Donnis — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:07:46 +0000

With a Senate Judiciary Committee vote on same-sex marriage legislation expected as soon as next week, the group leading the campaign in favor of legalization says it plans to deploy more than 300 people this weekend to knock on doors and make phone calls.

Ray Sullivan, the head of Rhode Islanders United for Marriage, says the stepped-up effort is meant to connect constituents in key Senate districts with their legislators "to carry the message and the banner that it's finally time to pass marriage equality."

Bishop Tobin, Advocates Clash on SCOTUS + Same-Sex Marriage

Ian Donnis — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:46:12 +0000

Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin issued a statement this morning, calling on the General Assembly to put the brakes on same-sex marriage legislation due to the US Supreme Court's consideration of related issues:

Ken Block takes on leadership role with RI Taxpayers

Ian Donnis — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:20:26 +0000

The Rhode Island Statewide Coalition, a taxpayer advocacy group, is renaming itself as RI Taxpayers. Moderate Party founder Ken Block is signing on as president of the group, Donna Perry is continuing as its executive director, Lisa Blais will serve as lobbyist, and Anchor Rising blogger Monique Chartier will edit the daily e-mail newsletter.

Via news release:

Historic House vote on same-sex marriage may come next week

Ian Donnis — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:52:33 +0000

A vote isn't expected when the House Judiciary Committee holds (at the rise, in Room 313) what will likely be a lengthy hearing Tuesday on the same-sex marriage bill sponsored by Representative Art Handy (D-Cranston). But a historic House floor vote on same-sex marriage may come as soon as next week.

RI Jobs with Justice to recognize Mike Downey, Mary Kay Harris, others

Ian Donnis — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:00:00 +0000

The liberal activist group RI Jobs with Justice is having its latest awards dinner this Thursday, 6-9 pm, at the Cranston Portuguese Club. Former state rep David Segal sent along the following details:

Jobs With Justice is scrappy, but one of the most important and effective activist organizations in Rhode Island. The campaign they helped lead in support of a living wage ordinance in Providence is one of the reasons I got involved in politics here and decided to run for City Council a decade ago.

Providence start-up touts itself as “a tool to facilitate democracy”

Ian Donnis — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Lovegov, a Providence startup with three employees, is looking to link would-be political supporters with actual candidates and causes. As MassHighTech.com reports: