Elmwood Tenants Union protests their landlord's other business after Gaspee Days Parade

"...some people were upset that there was a peaceful protest outside the ice cream shop on a day celebrating the memory of a 250-year-old violent protest."

Members and supporters of the Elmwood Tenants Union protested outside Dear Hearts Ice Cream on Broad Street in Cranston after the annual Gaspee Days Parade passed by. The ice cream store was targeted because it is owned by Jeff Butler, the same person who owns 1890 Boroad Street in Cranston where tenants are forced to live in terrible conditions, which include a giant mud and water-filled trench outside their doors. (See: The Elmwood Tenant Union is demanding safe and affordable housing)

The Elmwood Realty Tenant Union was aided in their effort by Reclaim RI. Here’s some video:

“We are outside of Dear Hearts Ice Cream, which is owned by Jeff Butler, the notorious slumlord of 1890 Broad Street,” said tenant and organizer Melissa Potter. “Because Jeff still has not come to the negotiating table with the Elmwood Tenants Union, we decided to picket outside of his ice cream shop today, which is Gaspee Days here in Pawtuxet Village, because we knew that this was going to be a big day. The entire neighborhood should be made aware of our situation because it could be their family or friends who are living in one of his properties next and having to deal with him. Everybody should know what they're in for when it comes to him.”

The protest lasted around two hours, and most people were happy to avoid shopping at Dear Hearts when they heard about the conditions at the apartment complex, especially when they found out that protesters were handing out free ice cream to anyone who wanted it. However, some people were upset that there was a peaceful protest outside the ice cream shop on a day celebrating the memory of a 250-year-old violent protest.

Members of the Cranston Police Department arrived on the scene and issued general warnings, but did not interfere with the protest. To make up for the tips potentially lost by the teenagers working inside the store, protesters took up a collection for their tip jar.

After the protest, landlord Jeff Butler texted Reclaim RI organizer Cheri Cruz [above], hinting that he might have to raise rents on the tenants to make up for business lost from the protest. Cheri Cruz is also the State Representative representing District 58 in Pawtucket.