PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Two people were arrested Friday outside a Providence courthouse during a demonstration calling for a moratorium on housing evictions.
The Providence Journal reports about a dozen people attended the morning protest outside the Garrahy Judicial Complex downtown.
The newspaper said the two were arrested as other people tried to enter the courthouse.
Providence police say a male juvenile was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. A 26-year-old woman was also charged with resisting arrest and obstruction because she tried to interfere in the juvenile’s arrest, the department said.
The protest was organized by PROVX, which is among groups concerned that the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic will lead to a flood of evictions.
Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo said this week she’s considering imposing an eviction moratorium.
She previously launched a $7-million effort with the United Way of Rhode Island to help prevent evictions by mediating rent disputes and helping tenants pay back rent.
The Journal reports there were 660 eviction cases in Rhode Island in June, down from more than 1,200 the prior June.
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The Associated Press erroneously reported that two people were arrested as protesters tried to enter the courthouse. They were arrested as other people tried to enter the courthouse.
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