Providence residents protest outside State Senator de la Cruz’s fundraiser over ICE raid comments

“We made our point loud and clear. You are not going to call for raids and then try to fundraise in our City..."

Nearly 100 people protested outside Ladder 133 on Tuesday evening as Rhode Island State Senator Jessica de la Cruz (District 23, North Smithfield, Burrillville, Glocester) held a fundraiser. Ladder 133 is the site of dozens of political fundraisers yearly for politicians on both sides of the aisle.

Here’s the video:

I arrived shortly after the event started. Those in attendance were already in an orderly march in front of the entrance, with Providence Police Officers and volunteers ensuring that anyone who wished to attend would have a clear path to the entrance. Those outside were loud, boisterous, and insulting - but never violent.

“We want to send a message today,” said Jason to the protesters. “That while there are pieces of shit like Senator Jessica de la Cruz at this fundraiser who are calling for raids in our our City and our State, there are a lot more people like us, that welcome our immigrant communities.”

A representative of the Olneyville Neighborhood Association took the microphone for a speech.

Meanwhile, supporters of Senator de la Cruz filtered in, including Republican State Representatives George Nardone, Sherry Roberts, Brian Newberry, Robert Quattrochchi, and Michael Chippendale, “Independent” Representative Jon Brien, and Republican State Senator Gordon Rogers. I also saw Brandon Bell, Chief of Staff/Legal Counsel to the Rhode Island Senate Minority Office, and Sid Wordell, Executive Director at Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association, enter the fundraiser.

Senator de la Cruz’s husband, Pastor David de la Cruz of Awakening Church, left and entered the building several times.

Councilmember Roias and Representative Morales were outside with the protesters.

After over an hour of protesting, Jason brought it to a close.

“We made our point loud and clear. You are not going to call for raids and then try to fundraise in our City,” said Jason. “This does not stop today. We have to keep fighting for the next three and a half to four years...”

“Longer!” yelled someone in the crowd.

“We have to let our immigrant families know that we are here for them,” continued Jason. “They are under attack.”

How did we get here?

Senator de la Cruz was quoted in a Channel 12 piece about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Boston.

“They just conducted a raid in Boston, and we’re not too far from Boston. I’d say, ‘Mr. Trump, stop in Providence, too, while you’re at it,"‘ because we have seen stories of criminals here in Providence,” said Senator de la Cruz. “I mean one as heinous as first-degree sexual molestation of a child. So we should not allow that. There’s no reason to keep violent criminals here in our country.”

Reporter Bill Bartholomew noted the irony of the Senator’s statement on X, given that she had a fundraiser scheduled in the City.

State Representative David Morales (Democrat, District 7, Providence) suggested the Senator hold her fundraiser elsewhere.

Providence City Councilmember Justin Roias (Ward 4), who recently opened the chambers of Providence City Hall as a warming center to save the lives of people experiencing homelessness in Providence, helped organize a protest. Many individuals and organizations helped to ensure the protest was safe and successful.