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Providence Council unanimously backs state Ethnic Studies bill and pledges city support
Summary
The Providence City Council passed a resolution urging the State House to adopt H5836, a bill to expand ethnic studies statewide; sponsors and council members described the measure as a step toward inclusion and representation in curricula.
The Providence City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution urging the Rhode Island General Assembly to adopt H5836, a bill that would expand ethnic studies in K–12 education.
Sponsors said the resolution reflects student-led advocacy and a desire to make classroom curricula more inclusive of Native American, Black, Latino, Asian American, Pacific Islander and other histories. Council supporters described the measure as “an important step” to ensure students see themselves reflected in school materials.
Council members said the resolution signals municipal support for continued state-level work and indicated they will accompany student and advocacy groups to the State House to press the case. Supporters noted the council’s vote is not a binding state action but serves as an official expression of the city’s position.
The resolution passed on a voice vote after several council members — including the item sponsor and members of the Hope Committee — spoke in favor of the measure and thanked student leaders and community advocates for organizing the campaign.
The City Clerk was instructed to refer the resolution to the city’s special committee and to communicate the council’s support to the city’s state delegation.
