NEW: Raimondo Expected to Sign Executive Order Removing "Plantations" From RI State Documents
GoLocalProv News Team
NEW: Raimondo Expected to Sign Executive Order Removing "Plantations" From RI State Documents
The move comes following renewed calls by legislators to place the question of officially changing the state name to voters on the ballot in 2020 — after Rhode Islanders rejected the of “plantation” by a margin of 77.9% to 22.1% in 2010.
Meanwhile, Raimondo faces increasing calls to name a Black candidate for the open Rhode Island Supreme Court seat — which she has refused to commit to.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTSenator James Sheehan, in a letter to Raimondo, said the governor should “take a stand on principle" and name a Black candidate to the court, and Representative Joe Almeida said, “It is time to appoint an African American to the Rhode Island Supreme Court.”
Raimondo has a staff of 45 full-time employees and not one member of her office’s executive team is Black.
Rhode Island has never had a person of color on the State Supreme Court.
Name in Focus
“I just heard on the news that Governor Raimondo will be signing an Executive Order today removing the racist and offensive word Plantation from the official state name,” said Rep. Marcia Ranglin Vassell on Monday.
“As many of you know that 6 months ago I called for the removal of the offensive name. Last week, I asked that the Governor sign an Executive Order removing Plantation from the official state name,” she added. “I am over the moon happy if this is true. It’s long overdue.”
Ranglin-Vassell added “#CiteBlackWomen.”
Last Friday, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza announced an executive order removing “plantations” from city documents and oath ceremonies.
Executive orders can be overturned — or revoked by future administrations.