Officials say Newport working with organizers of Black Lives Matter ahead of Saturday demonstration

NEWPORT — City officials have released a statement in advance of the demonstration planned for Saturday at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center.

“The city of Newport and its community partners are preparing to welcome demonstrators to Aquidneck Island on Saturday, June 6 for a planned peaceful demonstration sparked by the murder of George Floyd.

“As a city, we fully support those who wish to exercise their Constitutional right to peacefully assemble and will do our part to make sure that any and all demonstrations are carried out in as safe a manner as possible.

“The City has been in contact with the organizers, who notified the Police Department of their plans on Thursday prior to their announcement, and are working with various community and law enforcement partners who will be doing everything we can to make sure the demonstration is as peaceful and inspiring as the organizers have envisioned.

“Organizers have informed us that the event, which is scheduled to take place at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, will feature a number of speakers and they do not anticipate hosting a march or walk as part of the gathering.

“Due to the location, police will be on hand to provide traffic control and ensure pedestrian safety and traffic detours may be required depending on crowd size.

“The City is also encouraging all those joining the demonstration to please wear a mask and to be mindful of the very real risk still posed by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak – both for themselves, and the entire community.”