“Shame on You” — Protesters Call for State Officials to Take Action on RI Recycled Metals

“Shame on You” — Protesters Call for State Officials to Take Action on RI Recycled Metals

 

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Community members and environmentalists held a protest outside the controversial Rhode Island Recycled Metals (RIRM) facility on Allens Avenue on Monday, Earth Day.

The call was for environmental justice for all of the city of Providence's residents.

Representatives from Save the Bay, the Conservation Law Foundation, and the Washington Park Neighborhood Association all participated in the protest.

Doug Victor, one of the protestors, said to decision-makers and regulators in an interview with GoLocal, “Shame on you. Your policy needs to be ‘do no harm’ with every action you take, every legislative action you take. You know every policy influence you have…because there needs to be restorative justice here."

The facility has been tied up in an ongoing series of legal issues with state regulators for more than a decade and in recent months, Providence officials have tried to shut down the facility claiming it is operating without a license.

Monday’s protest drew Linda Perry, who is one of the leaders of the Washington Park Neighborhood Association. She said the continued operation of the poses a threat to the neighborhood.

“We want to get this closed. Period,” Perry said.

 

“Why Has Nothing Been Done?”

Richard Stang of the Conservation Law Foundation said, “Obviously, it is a mess that's going on here as well. So, I'd like to get to the bottom of how much has DEM been doing. At this point, how many complaints have been filed? How many complaints have been filed with the Attorney General's office? What's been the status of those complaints? Really start to dig into the information as to what has been happening in the last 20 years and why nothing has been done.” 

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