FILE - This Jan. 21, 2000, file photo shows the seal bearing the official name "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" on the floor of the Statehouse rotunda in Providence, R.I. A statewide ballot question in the Nov. 3, 2020, election asks voters whether to shorten the state's official name to drop the plantations reference. Officially, the tiniest state's name remains Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Rhode Island voters drop 'Providence Plantations' from state name With 100 percent of precincts reporting, the amendment dropping "Providence Plantations" passed with … Opponents to the state name change, like noted Rhode Island historian Patrick Conley, insists that his opposition is not racist, since at the time … By Caelyn Pender. June 12, 2020 The state commonly known as Rhode Island has a longer official name: State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. In June, Rhode Island — known formally as the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations — announced that it would drop the second half of its official name … Rhode Island's official name is "The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations," and the state may remove that last part, to avoid slavery connotations. The governor has removed the phrase "Providence Plantations" from official websites and state documents, and legislators agreed the question of changing the name should go to … Over 7,300 people have signed a petition supporting the name change. Gina Raimondo and other state officials, drew more than 11,000 signatures. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, the amendment dropping "Providence Plantations" passed with 52.9 percent of the vote, according to unofficial state results. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)– “The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations” is the official– though seldom used– full name of the state. The petition calling for the three-word deletion, which was directed to Gov. The name dates to the 17th century, when the Puritan minister Roger Williams founded plantations on the Providence River that later became the colony — and then the state — of Rhode Island. Our state’s official name is The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. It was established by a group of colonists led by Roger Williams and Dr. John Clarke who left Massachusetts Bay Colony in order to establish a colony with greater religious freedom. Name alterations have been attempted before - most recently in 2010, when nearly eight in 10 voters rejected the shorter name in a referendum. Reason for Name Change (be specific): Petitioner Requests a Name Change to: If applicable, the name on the birth record should be changed to: CHANGE OF NAME RIGL 33-22-28 PC-8.1 (Rev. Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo signed an executive order on Monday taking the 'first steps' to change the state's full name: 'The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.' Proponents of the change argued that the word “plantations” has associations with southern plantations and Rhode Island’s participation in the slave trade. Other government officials have already removed "Plantations" from state and local documents. Sophie Lewis is a social media producer and trending writer for CBS News, focusing on space and climate change. On June 22, Raimondo signed an executive order calling on voters to amend the state constitution to make the change. I am very disappointed in the vote to remove our 387-year-old name from the state's nomenclature. Voters in Rhode Island have passed a ballot measure that will drop the words "Providence Plantations" from the official state name. Gina Raimondo signed an executive order to that could lead to “and Providence Plantations” being removed from the state’s official name (Rhode Island and Providence Plantations). Successfully ending a campaign that began over 10 years ago, a referendum to remove “Providence Plantations” from the state name of Rhode Island passed on … Gina Raimondo and General Assembly leaders all struck the word plantations from their official documents … The current official name of Rhode Island is the "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations." Rhode Island is now just ... Rhode Island. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island voters have approved Question 1 to remove the phrase “and Providence Plantations” from the state’s official name, The Associated Press projects. i can't tell if this is a bit, but the official name is Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (which, imagine knowing that) and they're gonna change it to remove the plantation part. Providence Plantations was the first permanent European American settlement in Rhode Island. "Rhode Island was founded on the principles of acceptance and tolerance, and our state's name – and actions – should reflect those values," Raimondo tweeted Monday. Some Rhode Islanders pride themselves on living in the “smallest state with the longest name”. Tim Stelloh is a reporter for NBC News based in California. An effort in 2010 to tweak the state's name failed, with only 22 percent of voters supporting the measure. An online petition this year pointed to the state's history as a slave-trading hub and argued that its name "holds the memory of an economic foundation built on slavery, and only keeps us connected to a shameful past.". Rhode Island considers 'plantation' name change. "Rhode Island was founded on the principles of acceptance and tolerance, and our state's name — and actions — should reflect those values," she said at the time. A prior campaign to change the name A previous effort to strike "Providence Plantations" from the state name met sound defeat in 2010, but Metts said … This isn't the first time the state has attempted to change its name: When the state tried in 2010, 78% of voters opposed the removal of "Providence Plantations." Gov. Rhode Island’s name will no longer include “plantations” after a referendum passed to remove the word on Tuesday, ending a decade-long push. "It is a hurtful term to so many of us.". Name Origins of the name. NAME CHANGE Rhode Island was incorporated as The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations when it declared statehood in 1790, and voters are being asked to strip the “and Providence Plantations” wording. Nicholas Michael / Herald. And if you're eager to make your own lexicon more inclusive, start by ditching these 7 Common Phrases That You Didn't Know Have Racist Origins. A prior campaign to change the name A previous effort to strike "Providence Plantations" from the state name met sound defeat in 2010, but Metts said … Gina Raimondo (D) signed an executive order in the summer to change the name from "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" to "State … Was a beauty queen-turned-teacher murdered by former student? Riding a national wave of awareness about racial injustice, Rhode Island voters on Tuesday approved shortening the state’s official name and lopping off the centuries-old phrase – … He references images of the plantations in Virginia where his grandmother lived. He references images of the plantations in Virginia where his grandmother lived. Rhode Island To Change State's Controversial Full Name Voters in Rhode Island have passed a ballot measure that will drop the words "Providence Plantations" from the official state name. Biden's inauguration will be virtual. An effort in 2010 to tweak the state's name failed. "Many of the State's residents find it painful that a word so closely associated with slavery should appear in the official name of the State," Raimondo wrote. Gina Raimondo signed an executive order to that could lead to “and Providence Plantations” being removed from the state’s official name (Rhode Island and Providence Plantations). The name change authorizes the official removal of the phrase from all governor and state correspondence as well as all state agency websites, according to MASSLIVE. MARY LOUISE KELLY, … Today, Rhode Islanders should reflect on that past, and pay their respects by removing “Providence Plantations” from its name. Tracking Biden's Cabinet picks as administration takes shape, DACA faces biggest legal test ahead of Biden presidency, Biden taps Deb Haaland to be 1st Native American interior secretary, Biden plans to nominate Michael Regan as EPA chief, Biden announces Pete Buttigieg as pick to lead Transportation Department, Juneteenth: Story behind 155-year-old holiday. The order removed the name from official websites and correspondence, citations, state employee pay stubs and gubernatorial orders, the governor's office said at the time. The seal of the state of Rhode Island on a lectern during a news conference in Providence on June 22. The state of Rhode Island is moving to change its official name — "The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" — due to its connection to slavery. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, the amendment dropping "Providence Plantations" passed with 52.9 percent of the vote. A previous effort to strike "Providence Plantations" from the state name met sound defeat in 2010, but Metts said he, Williams and other state legislators have continued to push for the change. Gina Raimondo’s attention – she suggested last week that the issue appear on the 2020 ballot. Our state’s official name is The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Rhode Island voters will decide on Election Day whether or not to remove the phrase “Providence Plantations” from the state’s official name. "Whatever the meaning of the term 'plantations' in the context of Rhode Island's history, it carries a horrific connotation when considering the tragic and racist history of our nation. Portland police declare a riot as protest gets out of control, Minneapolis police shoot and kill man during traffic stop, Cop who witnessed Andre Hill shooting says she didn't see a threat, Louisville police move to fire 2 officers involved in Breonna Taylor raid, DOJ declines to charge officers in Tamir Rice case, California Privacy/Information We Collect. The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was one of the original Thirteen Colonies established on the east coast of America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. A previous effort to strike "Providence Plantations" from the state name met sound defeat in 2010, but Metts said he, Williams and other state legislators had continued to push for the change. I understand the issues that Senator Metts raises and respect how feels regarding his proposal to change the full name of our State. 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