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Protests resound at Elorza address

Mayor often shouts over chants by teachers throughout entire speech

Jacqueline Tempera
jtempera@providencejournal.com
Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza shouts over chants from protesting teachers as he delivers his State of the City address. [The Providence Journal / Kris Craig]

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Hundreds of protesters overshadowed Mayor Jorge Elorza’s third State of the City address Tuesday night as teachers from across the state banded together, calling for a contract for the Providence Teachers Union. 

With chants of “shame” and “we want contracts” the teachers overpowered Elorza as he delivered a wide-ranging speech covering infrastructure, education and the city’s finances.

Though Elorza had to stop speaking several times, as the angry crowd booed, he never acknowledged the protesters. Instead he spoke louder, shouting at points, and eventually straining his voice.

Promoting his success on social justice issues he said: “We’ve stood with Standing Rock, and we are divesting our pension fund from the filthy fifteen; we’ve stood with Paris, and opposed an LNG facility here in our port; we’ve stood with Dreamers, and announced our own city ID program; we’ve stood with Black Lives Matter, and invested in cradle-to-career programs; we’ve stood with the Women’s March, and instituted paid parental leave; and we’ve stood with Orlando, and offered gender-affirming health care.”

“Here in Providence, we will continue to add our voice to the chorus and lend our hand to the cause whenever someone tries to divide us. And, we will stand up for our values whenever they are threatened,” Elorza said.

The teachers, it seemed, did not care. They have been without a contract since Aug. 31 and Maribeth Calabro, the president of the Providence Teachers Union, said it was time to make their voices heard.

Calabro said the two sides were close to a deal in January — until the mayor “reneged” on his promises, in particular a raise for teachers in the school district.

“I’m willing to negotiate at any time, any place,” Calabro said. “He doesn’t seem to be serious about respecting teachers and the work they do every day.”

Speaking to reporters in his office following his remarks, Elorza urged the teachers union to “be reasonable.” He repeated several times that he wants a “transformational contract," but did not specifically outline what that would look like. What’s clear, he said, is that the “status quo is not working.”

Teachers received a raise eight months ago, he said, and the city’s finances cannot support two raises within a year, he said. 

“Let’s put our kids first,” Elorza said. “...My job is to advocate for our kids and I’m going to keep doing that.”

Elorza’s speech focused on manyof the themes he has highlighted in interviews and speeches over the last few months. He spoke about investing $400 million in school facilities over the next decade, the city’s reduced crime rate, and making sure every child has access to the internet and computers.

He boasted of the PVD Self-employment and the Providence Design Catalyst programs, which both provide business training and support. He praised the Police Department, calling Police Chief Hugh Clements the “best police chief” he has ever known. 

“We have done so much together as a community, accomplished so much together as neighbors. But we have so much left to do. Over the next five years, I look forward to rebuilding our schools so they inspire our kids to learn. To resetting our relationships with our universities to invest in our city of the future.

"To rethinking transportation to better connect people to opportunities. To re-envisioning Kennedy Plaza to be our central meeting space. To redeveloping vacant properties to build strong and vibrant neighborhoods. To recommitting ourselves to our artists so they can unlock our creative potential,” he said, rarely deviating from the prepared remarks handed out to reporters 15 minutes before the address.

Reactions to the speech, and the protest, were mixed. Councilman Luis Aponte, who was sitting inside the Council Chambers where the mayor spoke, said he heard only “bits and pieces.”

“I think I heard we want a contract more than I heard the mayor,” Aponte said. “I can’t imagine that a progressive mayor would have difficulty coming to terms with a local labor organization.”

Councilwoman Carmen Castillo declined any comment, just shaking her head as she left. 

School Superintendent Chris Maher kept his reaction to the union short, saying: “I think that everyone deserves a voice and their voice was heard tonight.” He said he is confident the city and the union will reach an agreement that’s “financially viable.”

Council President David Salvatore said the mayor delivered a speech “a lot of people wanted to hear.”

“I think he conducted himself as professionally as he could under the circumstances,” Salvatore said.

As for the next steps, both Calabro and Elorza said they are ready to negotiate. The mayor said his door is always open.

As for the manner in which the teachers protested, Elorza smiled and said: “It’s democracy in action. It is what it is. My responsibility is to stay focused.”

Listen to Councilman Luis Aponte