PHOTOS: Providence City Hall Palestinian Flag Ceremony
GoLocalProv News Team and Richard McCaffrey, Photographer
PHOTOS: Providence City Hall Palestinian Flag Ceremony
Dozens attended a ceremony at Providence City Hall on Friday for the raising of the Palestinian flag.
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The ceremony was sponsored by the Providence City Council and approved by Providence Mayor Brett Smiley.
GoLocal broke the story of the City Council’s spearheading the flag-raising on Wednesday.
Smiley wrote in an email to GoLocal on Wednesday morning, "At the request of the City Council and two constituents, the City is flying the Palestinian flag."
A spokesman for Smiley, Josh Estrella, wrote to Golocal, "The Mayor’s office was informed that City Council will be hosting a flag raising ceremony outside of City Hall in a public space on Friday. We have Palestinian American residents of Providence and are happy to celebrate their culture, as we do with many other communities. We hope that we can use opportunities like this to help foster thoughtful dialogue and unity, and that it is not used for divisiveness."
Adam Greenman, President & CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, is raising concerns about the Palestinian flag on display in the Providence City Council Chamber.
“The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island was recently made aware of the plan to display the Palestinian flag in the Providence City Council Chamber. We understand that this display is intended to commemorate Nakba Day—an unofficial observance marking what is referred to as the 'Palestinian Catastrophe' of 1948,” said Greenman in a statement to GoLocal.
“We have communicated our deep concern to the City Council regarding the use of a government space for a display that fosters division within our community," Greenman added. "The Jewish Alliance remains unwavering in our commitment to the safety, security, and wellbeing of the people of Israel and Jewish communities around the world."
