Providence Voters Approve Measure to Restrict Foreign Human Rights Investments
“It’s an enormous demonstration of what we already knew going into the campaign, which is that the people are with Palestine,” Zack Kligler, an organizer with Providence for Palestine, said during a watch party at Salon.
Voters in Providence overwhelmingly approved a citizen-led proposal on Tuesday night that aims to restrict municipal investments connected to severe human rights violations abroad, according to reporting by the Rhode Island Current. Question 7 drew over 76% support, accounting for 20,925 votes overall as of 8:53 p.m., with 76 of 82 precincts reporting.
The proposal did not name Israel directly. Even so, both opponents and proponents have identified the country’s military actions in Gaza as the impetus for the measure.
The citizen petition effort behind Question 7 gathered momentum after the City Council declined to enact the proposed ordinance. Providence for Palestine, a coalition of progressive organizations, collected more than 6,000 verified signatures to place the question on the November ballot.
Legal Review Warns Ordinance Faces Enforcement Roadblocks
The push for divestment hit notable roadblocks regarding municipal legality well before Tuesday’s vote. The outgoing administration of Mayor Brett Smiley raised concerns about the legality of the measure.
WPRI reported on Oct. 29 that the city commissioned retired federal judge William Smith to review the proposal. In an Oct. 23 memo, the retired judge concluded that the ordinance was likely unenforceable and could lead to litigation over the city’s pension investments.
Supporters countered those findings by arguing the measure was crafted to respect fiduciary obligations to pensioners. Organizers also dismissed the administration’s warnings.
“The truth is that this ordinance was written with the guidance of legal and financial experts who have done this before in other cities to ensure that it is enforceable and also can be carried out in a step by step process that prioritizes the worst offenders,” Zack Kligler said.
Path Forward for the Providence Ordinance
David Morales supports the measure, while his Republican opponent in the general election, Dave Talan, opposed it.
Lex Rofeberg of Providence expressed confidence during Tuesday’s watch party.
Lex Rofeberg told the Rhode Island Current that the ordinance is binding and will be enforced, especially because the city has a mayor and a city council full of people who support it.
The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island was contacted by the Rhode Island Current for comment on Tuesday night but did not immediately hear back.
