RISD President Demands Barricaded Protesters Comply With Fire Code

RISD President Demands Barricaded Protesters Comply With Fire Code

The president of Rhode Island School of Design, Crystal Williams, has ordered the protesters who have barricaded themselves on the second floor of the main administration building to comply with state fire codes.

On Thursday, Williams shared the following message.

"Dear RISD students occupying the second floor of 20 Washington Place, The barricades on the second floor of 20 Washington Place violate multiple Rhode Island Fire Codes. We need you to create a means of egress and ingress by 12:00 p.m.” 

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“We are sending RISD facilities and maintenance staff to help you create a means of ingress and egress that is in compliance with Rhode Island state law. I implore you to work with them to achieve this outcome. We will not use this moment to otherwise enter the space,” said Williams.

The building houses academic affairs, the general counsel’s office, the President’s and Provost’s offices, and student financial services, among other things.

On Wednesday, Williams said the protesters' actions were “undefendable” — and has said she will only “continue to advocate for them to gain an audience with the Board of Trustees investment committee” if they vacate the school building and agree not to disrupt commencement. 

Williams added, “Let me reiterate, there is no circumstance where I want external law enforcement entities to engage with students who are peacefully protesting. However, we do need your cooperation. The safety of everyone in the building is at risk. (To that end, we have closed 20 Washington Place to all who do not work in this building and have encouraged most to work from home as an added precaution.)"

"This violation cannot continue. Fire Marshals are waiting to ensure that means of ingress and egress are in evidence," she continued. "Please work with us to ensure that intervention by the Fire Marshals and their colleagues is unnecessary.”