“F—king Get Over It,” Says Providence Councilwoman About Music Complaint at Downtown Bar

“F—king Get Over It,” Says Providence Councilwoman About Music Complaint at Downtown Bar

Providence City Councilwoman Kat Kerwin told police that downtown neighbors should “f—king get over it,” after a complaint was made about loud music at a bar — that was not licensed for entertainment. 

On Wednesday night, police received a complaint of loud music around 10:30 PM at Fortnight in Providence. 

In June, a Fortnight owner had been arrested for spraypainting “ACAB” — “All Cops Are Bastards” — on Providence City Hall. 

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Report -- and Reaction

According to the police report, when police responded Wednesday night, they observed a DJ booth outside, and spoke with an employee who in the report was identified as “Mackenzie Elizabeth.” Fortnight lists “Elizabeth McDonnell” and “Mackenzie Holway” as among the bar owners.

Police then asked if Fortnight had proper permits for entertainment and were informed they did not.

In the report, Kerwin, who was at the bar, went to intervene, and was told by the police the issue “did not concern her.”

Police reported that upon further conversation with the employee, they explained the bar needed the proper licensing, and police said they believed the employee then had a better understanding of the requirements.

Kerwin, however, reapproached the police, per the report. Police said they informed Kerwin the situation had been resolved.

“If they live downtown, they can f—king get over it,” said Kerwin according to the report, of people complaining about the loud -- and unlicensed -- music.

Kerwin was among the first elected officials in Rhode Island to call for the defunding of police. As GoLocal reported in June: 

"Demonstrators gathered...at Burnside Park in Providence to support proposals being pushed by Providence City Council members Rachel Miller (Ward 13) and Kerwin (Ward 12) to defund and dismantle the Providence Police."

Latest for Fortnight

As GoLocalProv was first to report in June:

The founder and owner of the downtown Providence wine bar Fortnight was an unlikely individual to be arrested for alleged vandalism during the rioting last Tuesday morning. 

While other businesses in the area were being vandalized, graffitied, windows broken and looted, Michael Da Cruz and an accomplice spray-painted on Providence City Hall, which is just blocks from the bar, "ACAB" --  an abbreviation for All Cops Are Bastards.

Da Cruz and the accomplice, Heather Jackson were followed and arrested at the bar, according to the police report. 

According to state business records, DaCruz is the registered agent and he admitted to police that he owned and operated the wine bar. 

This story was first published 7/23/20 11:08 AM