Occupy Providence to vacate after reaching agreement with the City

Greater City Providence:

Occupy Providence to vacate Burnside Park after reaching agreement with the City.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence will open and staff a homeless day shelter in response to the identified need for such a resource. The day shelter makes way for the peaceful end of Occupy Providence's encampment in Burnside Park.

The day shelter will be housed at the Diocese of Providence's Emmanuel House in South Providence, which the Diocese established as an emergency winter overflow homeless shelter in December, 2010 at the site of the former Carter Day Care facility.

The City of Providence, though not in a position to open and resource a day shelter, was successful at convening homeless advocates and other community partners to reach a mediated resolution to Occupy Providence's encampment in Burnside Park.

Mayor Taveras expressed his gratitude to Bishop Thomas J. Tobin and the Diocese of Providence for their efforts. The Mayor also thanked Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare and City Solicitor Jeffrey Padwa leading the city's response to the encampment in Burnside Park, which nationally distinguishes Providence's response to the Occupy movement.

Read more.