After Prov Council Chief of Staff Arrested Again at Protest, Councilor Calls for Resignation

After Prov Council Chief of Staff Arrested Again at Protest, Councilor Calls for Resignation

Providence City Council Chief of Staff June Rose was reportedly arrested in New York at Trump Tower on Thursday. 

Protesters from “Jewish Voice for Peace” had been there to denounce the immigration arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist who helped lead protests against Israel at Columbia University.

Rose was arrested in June of 2024 in Washington, DC, when there was a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s appearance before Congress. 

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On Thursday, Councilman James Taylor - who represents Ward 8 - said that he believes Rose should resign. 

 

Councilors on Record

City Council President Rachel Miller defended Rose on Thursday.

“I and other Councilors are fully focused on Providence and the issues facing our city. We are working hard to determine the best path forward,” said Miller. “That being said, this is a perilous moment for our democracy and taking action is not something to be scorned. June was using vacation time today and chose to use their time to defend Constitutional freedoms.”

Taylor said that Rose makes $140,000 a year, and “should have been in Providence on the busiest council day of the year.” 

“I’m calling for them to resign,” said Taylor of Rose. “They were hired in January last year, and then they were arrested in June in Washington, DC. I had people in my ward - constituents who are Jewish, who wanted to know what was going on. I said when you’re out there, you’re not just June Rose, you’re June Rose, Providence City Council Chief of Staff. You represent us. I asked the Council President what we’re going to do. Nothing. No discipline.”

“What if they were on vacation and they got a DUI? They got arrested - are we going to look the other way? The last Chief of Staff was let go because she wasn’t doing her job. This is worse than what that is,” said Taylor. “[Thursday] was a big day for the City Council - all eyes were on the council with the administration, the budget - the most important day, when they’re Chief of Staff, supposed to be running the council, making sure they get everything they need, the biggest day, we’re making decisions on revenue, where are they? They’re in jail.”