Rebuild Woonsocket Accuses Mayor Of Preventing Pride Month Event

WOONSOCKET, RI — A Woonsocket nonprofit organization has accused Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt of preventing organizers from hosting a Pride Month event, reported WPRI.

Rebuild Woonsocket, an organization working to reshape city politics by mobilizing the community, says they tried to organize a Pride celebration at River Island Park on June 28, but their permit application was denied due to construction.

After the organization was denied the first time around, they attempted to move the event to World War II park, but the city told them it was too late. Following a final attempt to move the event to Market Square, organizers said the mayor scheduled a last-minute car show for the same day and time of the Pride event.

Due to all the complications despite the city declaring June as Pride Month last year, the event turned into a protest Monday evening, with participants chanting “Mayor Lisa has got to go.”

Rebuild Woonsocket hopes the protest will convince officials to allow for a Pride event in 2022.