Rally for economic justice

The Rhode Island Progressive Network sponsored a Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Day Rally at the Rhode Island statehouse in Providence April 4 to demand jobs and human needs, freedom, equality, peace, civil rights and civil liberties, workers’ rights and economic rights. The R.I. Unemployed Council put forth an Economic Bill of Rights which includes tax the rich, not the poor; end tax-breaks, bailouts and welfare for the rich; enact progressive income and corporate taxes; fund a war on poverty at home, not wars and occupations abroad; bring the troops home now; ensure that everyone has the right to a job, housing, utilities, education, health care, secure retirement and disability income. The rally was chaired by Mary Kay Harris, a lead organizer from Direct Action for Rights and Equality.

— Report and photo by Bill Bateman