Mattiello Challenged After Saying “I Support Black Lives Matter”

Mattiello Challenged After Saying “I Support Black Lives Matter”

Rhode Island Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello abruptly left the podium after he was challenged by an audience member over his claim he supports Black Lives Matter on Thursday.

Mattiello, who once said he did not believe there is such a thing as “white privilege," gave a five-minute speech at a press conference at the Rhode Island State House organized by State Representative Anastasia Williams.

“I support Black Lives Matter,” said Mattiello.

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A woman from the crowd challenged Mattiello’s claim, “How are you supporting Black Lives Matter, how, what are you doing for us?’

Mattiello said, “The way I live my life.”

Then Williams came and interrupted the exchange and excused Mattiello from the podium.

“Let me just say, I am not here defending his stance or what he said, but…,” said Williams.

Another person asked Mattiello if he would commit to attending the Black Lives Matter march scheduled for Friday at 4:30 PM in Providence.

Mattiello said he could not commit as he "did not know his schedule."

Williams Organized Event

Williams said there are several key areas in Rhode Island governance that need to be addressed and changed in order to eliminate what she says is the systematic racism in Rhode Island -- first and foremost what she says is "the lack of diversity reflective of the state in the Rhode Island judicial system and the lack of judges of color on the bench."  

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo this week reaffirmed that she will not commit to naming a Black judge to the vacancy to the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Rhode Island has never had a minority on the highest court.

Presently, the Supreme Court is comprised of four white men and a white woman — and Justice Gilbert Indeglia announced his retirement in January. The vacancy is pending.

Calling Out RI's "Key Areas" 

Williams said the areas that need to be addressed in order to "eliminate systematic racism" in Rhode Island include:

• The lack of diversity within the state’s public safety system and the lack of promotions for people of color serving in police and fire departments. 
• The lack of people of color from the urban core working in Rhode Island’s suburban communities and governments. 
• Changing the make-up of boards and commissions, especially paid board positions, to properly and accurately reflect the diverse population of Rhode Island. 
• The stopping of outsourcing our taxpayer dollars to out of state individuals for government positions when there is a wealth of in-state talent within the community of color. 
• A raising of the 10 percent quota for minority businesses applying for state contracts to 25 percent. 
• Greater minority representation in the bidding of state contracts. 
• Changing the state contract bidding process that is particularly onerous for minority-owned businesses and removing the barriers that are currently in place. 
• Changing the state’s civil service exam that discriminates against people of color when applying for state jobs. 
• Licenses for undocumented residents. 
• Increased funding for school and after-school programs. 
• The creation of a state and local police community reform task force. 
• Increased emphasis on youth employment, particularly within Rhode Island’s urban core. 
• Instituting the use of body cameras for all Rhode Island police departments. 
• Sweeping reforms to current police conduct polices, including a three-strike system to officers with numerous verified conduct complaints against them. 
• Increased minority access to healthcare and financial institutions and the services they provide. 
• The creation of a true living wage for the hard-working members of the community of color.