Latest news with #RachelMiller
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City leaders in the spotlight: What to know about Providence Council President Rachel Miller
PROVIDENCE – Twenty years before Rachel Miller won the City Council presidency, she was an emerging labor organizer new to Rhode Island and discovering Providence's 'lifeblood' in the city's working-class and immigrant communities. Today, Miller credits much of her political drive to the movements she joined early in her career and the understanding she gained that standing up for individual rights is intertwined with the fight to expand everyone's rights. Although people may not be as familiar with the City Council president as they are with Mayor Brett Smiley, Miller is an influential figure in the city whose leadership has helped steward much of the progressive policy flooding Providence. Rather than grabbing news headlines or attacking opponents on the campaign trail, Miller used a low-profile approach to win unanimous support for the council presidency in 2023. However, now more than two years into her four-year term, both Providence and the United States are facing unprecedented challenges and political volatility. Miller believes that local engagement matters now more than ever. 'This is a huge moment for local elected officials to make sure that we are doing everything in our power to support our city, to support our residents, to protect them and to stand up for basic constitutional rights,' she said. Miller was raised in Long Island and comes from a family with Irish and Eastern European roots. 'Growing up in my house, it was never just about us,' she said. 'It was always about what was happening with our neighbors, how we were supporting one another and how we had each other's backs. It was very much those strong immigrant and faith traditions that my parents held.' In the mid-1990s, she left to study at the College of the Holy Cross – a Jesuit liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts. Being a LGBTQ+ student on the Catholic campus had its difficulties, and after witnessing a few incidents of intolerance, Miller and other students from that community banded together to form the college's first LGBTQ+ student organization. As young people who grew up witnessing the AIDS epidemic, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights had a different backdrop for them than for many activists who came later, she said. At the same time, Miller was taking a required class on religious studies, which mandated that students work or volunteer for a community organization. She got involved with Jobs With Justice, a nonprofit that promotes workers' rights. Those two simultaneous experiences were eye-opening, said Miller. She moved to Washington, D.C., after graduating and continued to work for Jobs With Justice. In 2003, she accepted a position to lead the organization's Rhode Island branch. 'Like so many who've come before and after, I completely fell in love with the city,' Miller said. One of her first gigs involved helping janitors who worked night shifts in downtown Providence to unionize, due to the wage theft, sexual harassment and xenophobia that many workers encountered. It was a stark contrast with the sunny crowd of office workers who milled about during the daytime. 'That's one Providence, and then there was this other Providence that was working at night, being ignored and didn't have basic respect or rights on the job,' Miller said. 'I feel like the thing that you can thread throughout all of my time in Providence is that we're one community. We're one society.' Currently, she works for the nonprofit Building Futures, which helps connect workers with apprenticeship programs. After hours, she takes her mantle as City Council president, because being a councilor is a part-time role. Since joining the City Council in 2019, Miller has been vocal about addressing Providence's housing problems. Recent reports named the city as the least affordable metro area in the United States and found that for every 100 extremely low-income Rhode Islanders, there are only 47 affordable and available rental units. The housing shortage, coupled with rising rent prices and property values (and, as a consequence, higher property taxes) is a burden for many renters, homeowners and even city councilors. Representing Ward 13, which spans Federal Hill and much of the West End, Miller previously shared her concerns with The Providence Journal that if she ever had to abandon her rental apartment on Willow Street, she'd likely end up priced out of the neighborhood. 'It would be extremely difficult to find a place to live in the neighborhood that would be affordable for me,' she said. Every 10 years, the city releases a Comprehensive Plan outlining community issues and solutions to help guide urban planning, and the city passed its latest iteration in November. Miller contributed inclusionary zoning goals to the plan, which she described as the idea that as the city develops, it must develop with affordability in mind. The plan changed zoning regulations to allow accessory dwelling units, which means people can convert their garages or basements into separate rental units, and it also identified incentives for developers to construct more affordable housing. 'I'm so proud of the way this council shepherded through the Comprehensive Plan. It sets the stage for the level of housing development that we really need. That we've needed for more than a decade,' Miller said. According to Miller, there was always a community engagement requirement for the planning period of a Comprehensive Plan, but last year was the first time they took it seriously, and thousands of people were involved. 'People would say something at a hearing and then we would follow up with them and say, 'Hey, how we can put that into policy?'' she said. Earlier in May, the City Council passed an ordinance that limits online buyers from making bulk purchases of property titles that were seized after owners failed to pay taxes. It'll help stop out-of-state real estate giants from buying up people's homes with the click of a button, Miller argued. She believes things are looking up for the city as more and more people speak out about the high costs of living. She intends to spend the second half of her term supporting groups like One Neighborhood Builders and other community land trusts that have a unique approach to helping lower-income residents own homes and build wealth. In addition to being a hiker, a cellist and a former punk-rocker, Miller is also a socialist. Nearly a decade ago, she helped found a state chapter of the Working Families Party, which has made a name for itself by endorsing and furthering leftist candidates and legislation in the General Assembly. 'This country is in a place of overwhelming abundance, and the way that plays out with harsh disparities between the rich and poor – it doesn't make any sense,' she said. 'Call it socialist or not.' The City Council turned heads in January when two members temporarily converted the council chambers into a warming center while the city's homeless shelters were overwhelmed. Miller thinks radical action has always, and will continue to be, the impetus for political change. 'It was the coldest winter we've had in many, many years. There were more people living on the street than we've had ever, so something had to be done. I was proud to support the councilors who moved that forward,' she said. Smiley criticized the move, and it's one of several areas where the city's leadership has clashed. However, even when it comes to a topic like rent stabilization – which the Miller supports and the mayor opposes – Miller said that the two are committed to talking. 'I tend to be of the mind that disagreement makes us smarter. It makes us really understand the opinions that we hold, interrogate them, change them and it lets you be like, 'Oh … Is this thing that I believe in, correct?'' she said. Miller plans to run for reelection next year, but for now she said she's focused on the matters at hand. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Who is Providence City Council President Rachel Miller? Everything to know.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Raising of Palestinian flag at Providence City Hall also raises tensions among city leaders
PROVIDENCE – A Palestinian flag waved outside Providence City Hall in hopes of invoking solidarity and honoring 'the important role' that Palestinian-Americans play in a city as diverse as Providence, speakers at a May 16 flag-raising ceremony said. But the proposal to raise the flag has opened conflict within the ranks of local and state leaders. According to members of the City Council, the flag was raised at the request of constituents. 'Every one of us is safer when we can celebrate every part of our community,' City Council President Rachel Miller said at the flag-raising ceremony. The downtown Providence rally drew a large crowd to the steps of City Hall, where people of all ages brought their own Palestinian flags and banners, sticking around to play music and dance after an hour of speeches from community leaders. Despite support from some community members, there had been staunch opposition to placing a Palestinian flag on government property from other members of the public, who referred to it as an endorsement of terror and criticized the local government for taking a stance on international issues. A cohort of counterprotesters attended the Palestinian flag ceremony, too, carrying Israeli flags and, at times, attempting to drown out the official lineup of speakers, but the event carried on peacefully. 'City Hall displays many different flags throughout the year to mark different occasions and honor the many ethnic and cultural backgrounds and traditions that make our city strong. Just in the past couple of months, the city has flown the Dominican flag, the Irish flag, the Italian flag, the Armenian flag, and the Israeli flag,' the City Council's communication director, Marc Boyd, said in a statement. For Reema Said-Awad – a Palestinian Rhode Islander who just completed a master's degree in justice studies at Rhode Island College while focusing on academic freedom for Palestine – getting to see a flag from her homeland hanging outside City Hall has remarkable symbolic value. 'It means a lot. It means we're finally being recognized as human beings,' she told The Providence Journal after delivering remarks to the audience. 'We don't hold hate. We want unity. We want people to understand that we are human beings who deserve existence.' According to Said-Awad, hundreds of Palestinian-Americans across Rhode Island have joined campaigns to demand that state representatives use their power to end the U.S.-backed Israel-Hamas war. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has surpassed 53,000 people, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health, since Israel began its armed assault in October 2023, following the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack into Israel that killed about 1,200 Israelis and led to the taking of about 250 hostages. Since March, Israeli forces have blocked deliveries of food, water, medication and other necessities from entering Gaza, and aid groups stress the mounting toll that the humanitarian crisis is taking on civilians, as reported by Al Jazeera. Said-Awad said she and fellow community members have made thousands of phone calls, but they consistently receive generic responses. 'Obviously, we are very aware of what has been happening to the Palestinian people for quite some time now, so we want to uplift that message and show the Palestinian-Americans we have here that we see them and we're here to support them,' said City Councilor Miguel Sanchez. Sanchez said that a few council members were looped in about the request for a flag, and they alerted the mayor's administration before taking the idea public. Mayor Brett Smiley said that he would not have chosen to raise the flag himself out of fear that it would isolate Jewish residents. 'My office does not have the authority to prevent a separate, independent branch of government from expressing their differing political and cultural views,' Smiley said in a statement. 'It is my hope that both the City Council and the community who participates in the flag raising ceremony will use this as an opportunity to find unity instead of further division.' In an interview with NBC 10, Smiley said that Providence doesn't have a foreign affairs department and that taking such measures isn't part of a city leader's job. 'I would push back on the mayor's comments,' said Sanchez. 'The mayor was literally in Israel for a week.' The City Council's May 15 meeting was also a tense affair, where Councilwoman Helen Anthony and Councilman James Taylor opened the meeting with opposition to hanging a Palestinian flag. Taylor accused the City Council president and her staff of roping the council into her personal agenda, adding that at no point had he been consulted about the flag. 'You are welcome to speak, but you cannot make personal attacks on the floor,' replied Miller. A week after the state House of Representatives passed a symbolic resolution recognizing Israeli independence and reaffirming the "bonds of friendship and cooperation" with the country, the state Senate on May 15 canceled a vote in a similar resolution. The Senate resolution, S1065, introduced by Providence Democratic Sen. Sam Zurier, was "placed on the desk," a move that means it could resurface for a vote – or not – at any time. "A couple of members raised concerns with the language of the resolution," Senate spokesman Greg Pare wrote in an email. "Because it was a new bill, they had not had the opportunity to speak with the sponsor." The proposed Senate resolution is identical to the House version that passed without objection, with the exception of one paragraph in the House version that says Israel "has sought to achieve a secure peace with the Palestinians and Israel's other Arab neighbors," which is absent in the Senate version. Both resolutions celebrate "a special relationship based on mutually shared democratic and moral values, common strategic interests, and bonds of friendship and mutual respect" between Rhode Island and Israel while lamenting "unjustified diplomatic and economic boycotts against the people of Israel." One of the senators who objected to the resolution was Sen. Sam Bell of Providence, who posted on the social network Bluesky that he was "deeply disappointed that the RI House of Representatives passed an inflammatory resolution praising Israel in deeply inaccurate and offensive terms." Smiley recently spent a week in Israel visiting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, among other locations. The trip was organized and partially paid for by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, while the mayor personally funded the remaining costs. The visit's primary purpose was to 'strengthen the relationship between Israel and Rhode Island.' Smiley told the Boston Globe that he converted to Judaism in 2024 after a year of study. On his first morning back in town from Israel on May 15, about 20 demonstrators with the group Jewish Voice for Peace gathered outside the mayor's house and chanted, 'Wake up Smiley,' while banging drums and noisemakers at 7 a.m. 'We're hoping to make it clear to Smiley and other local leaders and politicians that going on these kinds of propaganda trips has consequences,' said Zack Kligler, an organizer for Jewish Voice for Peace. 'We're not going to let you comfortably pander to the Israel lobby for your higher political ambitions and leave behind the people of Providence who are struggling with rising rents and putting food on the table.' The protest coincided with Nakba Day, Kliger said, which commemorates 77 years since the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, the creation of the state of Israel and the displacement of Palestinians. In Arabic, Nakba means, 'catastrophe.' 'It is a deep, deep irony that Smiley's first day back at his home is on the anniversary of the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians,' said Kliger. 'We're both here to honor Nakba Day and the legacy of those Palestinians and to show Smiley that he can't sleep comfortably in his home while Palestinians are bombed in theirs.' 'People are progressive until it has to do with Palestine,' Said-Awad said. 'Look at our college campuses and what's happening there. They've been trying to shut us down for speaking out about Palestine.' This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Palestinian flag raising at Providence City Hall sparks tensions
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Providence bans rent-setting algorithms amid affordability crisis
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — In response to exponential rent hikes, Providence property owners are no longer allowed to use algorithmic tools to price units in the city. The Providence City Council approved an ordinance Thursday night banning large corporate landlords from using software that enables price-fixing and drives up costs for tenants. The ordinance, introduced by Council President Rachel Miller, claims these programs have distorted markets, contributing to double-digit rent increases, while simultaneously raising vacancy and eviction rates. 'It's no secret that large, corporate landlords – the kind of that have been gobbling up properties in our city for years – will use every available tool to minimize competition and maximize profits,' Miller said. The ban comes amid soaring housing costs in the capital city. According to a January Redfin report, Providence ranked the 'least affordable' metro area in the U.S. with average rents rising 16.18% year-over-year from March 2023 to March 2024. READ ALSO: New RI tax credit program aims to incentivize affordable housing development The city council said these tools come into play after large, often out-of-state firms purchase buildings in bulk across Providence. Once a few companies control a significant number of units, they gain greater ability to 'influence and manipulate' the broader housing market. Algorithms are developed and sold by companies such as Texas-based RealPage to sift through public market and private competitor data and suggest rent prices, sometimes pushing them to the highest level the market might bear. As landlords feed data into the system, the algorithm generates higher price points, which the city council argues creates a feedback loop that drives rents even higher. Providence officials said that if landlords were to collaborate in the same way without software, it would be 'indisputably illegal,' but the use of algorithms has opened up what they call a 'dangerous loophole.' Concerns over algorithms like RealPage aren't limited to Providence. In 2022, nonprofit news outlet ProPublica published an investigation detailing that buildings using the software tended to raise rents even during periods of low demand. One Boston renter described to ProPublica how her landlord raised rent just days into the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when many people were leaving the city. Little did she know, her landlord was a RealPage client, and building staff insisted her apartment's market rate was 6.5% higher than what she had been paying. Just a few weeks later, she and her husband moved into another unit in the same building that was listed online for less, which led her to wonder if an algorithm was behind the staff's intransigence. MORE: Commission eyeing changes to RI's short-term rental industry amid housing crisis Last summer, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an antitrust lawsuit—which remains ongoing—against RealPage, accusing the company of depriving renters of apartment leasing terms and harming millions of Americans. The complaint alleged that RealPage acted with 'specific intent to monopolize, and to eliminate effective competition in, the commercial revenue management software market.' According to the DOJ, the company's algorithm allows landlords to share confidential and sensitive information to generate price recommendations. Among the landlords named in the suit are Cushman & Wakefield and Willow Bridge, both of which own properties in the Providence market. 'Americans should not have to pay more in rent because a company has found a new way to scheme with landlords to break the law,' U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said. With the new ordinance, Providence joins a growing list of major cities seeking to ban these practices to protect renters, including Philadelphia, San Francisco and San Diego, which passed a similar ordinance earlier this week. Effective immediately, any property owner in Providence found to be in violation of the ordinance could face a civil penalty of up to $500 per day, per instance. Housing Crisis: Providence mayor's legislative priorities and why some disagree Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Palestinian flag raised outside Providence City Hall
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A Palestinian flag was raised outside Providence City Hall on Friday despite mixed reactions from city councilors and local leaders. The flag was raised about an hour before it was scheduled to happen and a crowd has since gathered outside City Hall, some in support and others against it. Council President Rachel Miller granted a request to fly the flag outside City Hall for a few hours on Friday. Story continues below slideshow. A city spokesperson said the American flag will still be flying, adding that they've displayed other flags in the past, including the Israeli flag. The announcement quickly drew criticism online, with some calling on Mayor Brett Smiley to shut down the ceremony. BACKGROUND: Palestinian flag-raising at Providence City Hall divides councilors Smiley, who converted to Judaism last year, told 12 News in a statement that while 'there should be no doubt' where he stands on issues related to Israel, he 'did not prohibit' the council from flying the flag. 'I want to make it clear that my office does not have the authority to prevent a separate, independent branch of government from expressing their differing political and cultural views,' Smiley noted. Smiley said he fears the event will further divide the community and lead to other acts of antisemitism. 'Wake up, Smiley!': Group protests outside Providence mayor's home after Israel trip Watch or with the new . Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
15-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Rhode Island capital to hoist Palestinian flag at city hall, citing diversity
Providence, Rhode Island, officials have accepted a request to fly the Palestinian flag Friday at City Hall in the state's capital. City officials emphasized that no American flags are being displaced by the display, adding there have been several other flags raised over the government office in the past. 'Providence City Hall displays many different flags throughout the year to mark different occasions and honor the many ethnic and cultural backgrounds and traditions that make our city strong,' a spokesperson for Providence City Council told Fox News Digital Wednesday. The spokesperson added the city has also flown the Dominican flag, Irish flag, Armenian flag and the Israeli flag in recent months. 'Like those examples, this idea came to us from the community as part of a request to honor the important role Palestinian-Americans play in the fabric of our beautifully diverse city,' the spokesperson said. Council President Rachel Miller will display the flag during Thursday's city council meeting and then outside City Hall Friday. 3 A flyer created by the Providence City Hall promoting the flag raising on May 16, 2025. Providence City Council/X 3 Protesters wave the Palestinian and Lebanese flags on the steps to the Rhode Island State House on March 17, 2025. Getty Images When asked about the decision, a representative for Democratic Mayor Brett Smiley suggested the ceremony was the city council's prerogative. 'In Providence, the executive branch and City Council are two separate branches of government. The Providence City Council, not Mayor Smiley's office, will be raising the Palestinian flag on Friday,' said Josh Estrella, a spokesman for Smiley. A report from GoLocalProvidence added the Palestinian flag is reportedly becoming more prevalent at City Hall overall. Typically, the indoor chamber only flies the state and national flags, the report said. Fox News Digital reached out for comment from Rhode Island Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed, D-RI. 3 Buses pass by Providence City Hall on May 28, 2020. Boston Globe via Getty Images Fox News Digital contacted the State Department to ask where it stands on the flag debate given the ongoing Israel–Palestinian conflict. A request for comment was also received by the office of Rep. Gabe Amo, D-RI, who represents much of the Ocean State's capital region.
