@RWULaw My thoughts and prayers are with her wife, her family and friends, and the entire Public Defender’s office as they remember her today, and always.
Michelle Alves was fierce advocate for her clients, a beloved leader in her office, and an amazing colleague in the criminal bench bar. We had many cases against each other over the years, and I’m incredibly saddened by her passing.
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Outside of the courtroom, she was an equally fierce competitor in the lawyers’ softball league and an incredible mentor to so many in our @RWULaw community.
The antisemitic hazing incident at Smithfield High School is deeply disturbing. Hate has no place in Rhode Island, and we must be proactive in rooting out this behavior from our schools and our communities.
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Tomorrow evening, the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center is hosting an event that will bring together students, athletes, educators, and community members to promote kindness, inclusion, and respect in light of this incident.
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I have also spoken with leaders of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center to offer my support and commend them on their work combating antisemitism in our state.
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I have been in touch with members of the Smithfield City Council to offer my assistance in helping address this situation and providing staff members with the tools to combat hate in our schools.
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I helped train police recruits on hate crimes, civil rights, antisemitism, and LGBTQ+ awareness because this fight requires constant vigilance and education.
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As a former Attorney General's representative on the Rhode Island Commission on Prejudice and Bias, I have seen firsthand the pain that intolerance leaves in its wake.
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This is my daughter at Pride last year, where she learned about community, diversity, inclusion, and loving our neighbors - all things I learned in my Catholic upbringing as well. Plus, a love of Del’s 🏳️🌈🍋⚓️ #loveislove@Pride_RI@DelsLemonade