Our mission is to build a vital community that empowers young people as artists and leaders to develop a creative practice that they can sustain throughout their lives. This mission calls upon us to speak out and take action against forces that threaten our young people’s ability to lead long, joyful lives full of creativity. Police violence—along with the systems of white supremacy and racism that enable it—is one of those forces. New Urban Arts stands in support of Black Lives Matter.

Moving forward, we will do more to support and signal boost the work of organizations fighting to make the world safer for our students and their families, the vast majority of whom are people of color.

Please join us in supporting the RI Solidarity Fund. This coalition of six community organizations is providing pandemic relief in historically marginalized communities across Rhode Island, while advocating for justice on multiple fronts.

Please follow OurSchoolsPVD, an alliance of youth-led organizations in Providence fighting for Counselors Not Cops. They seek to end the placement of police in schools, better known as school resource officers (SROs), and reallocate those funds for emotional support and restorative justice. The new superintendent of Providence Schools just released a statement sympathetic to Black Lives Matter, so we have a real opportunity for change.

If you feel healthy and safe doing so, join us at an upcoming rally (see below for list).

Finally, we want to recognize the incredible work of the youth leaders of Step Up RI who, on Friday, June 5, successfully held one of the Rhode Island’s largest protests in recent history.

In solidarity,

Daniel Schleifer, Executive Director
Lois Harada, Board Chair

Upcoming Rallies
If you attend a public gathering, please consider getting a COVID test afterward, whether or not you display symptoms. The Rhode Island Health Department now offers free testing for asymptomatic people, with an emphasis on those who have attended protests. Visit portal.ri.gov or call 401-222-8022 to schedule. The best timeframe for testing is 3-7 days after potential exposure.

Wednesday, 6/10 4:30-7pm – Rally at Burnside Park

Sunday, 6/14 12-3pm – Code Black RI: Health Equity For Black Lives
March from RI Hospital to the State House, organized by healthcare workers of color

Sunday, 6/14 12pm – We Want To Live BLM Protest
Rally and march from Kennedy Plaza to the State House, organized by youth