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Woonsocket council receives WEDI advisory nominations amid debate over name and purpose
Summary
Council received and placed on file nominations for the Woonsocket Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (WEDI) advisory board after public comment both for and against the board; members discussed possibly renaming it to reduce controversy, but the nominations were received unanimously.
The Woonsocket City Council on Feb. 3 received and placed on file nominations for the Woonsocket Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (WEDI) advisory board after an extended public discussion about the board's purpose and name.
Public commenters including Gregory Duhamel and Arthur Roy urged the council to rename WEDI, arguing the acronym and program are divisive. Duhamel told the council that during a phone call with Councilwoman Valerie Gonzales he felt interrupted and said, "Who does Valerie Gonzales believe she represents again?" He also cited the…
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