The state of Rhode Island is moving toward changing its official name to remove a portion that connotes slavery.
Gov. Gina Raimondo signed an executive order that could lead to “and Providence Plantations” being removed from the state’s official name (Rhode Island and Providence Plantations). The official name has come under renewed scrutiny in the wake of global protests over racial injustice spurred by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Under Raimondo’s executive order, the issue will be put on the ballot for the November election.
“I urge the voters to approve the name change in November but will take all measures now that are within my control to eliminate the name from my official communications and those of my executive agencies,” Raimondo said.
The state’s full name will also be removed from state-operated websites, official documents, stationary and other executive orders.
The state seal may also be replaced or redesigned.
The state senate has also passed a resolution to remove “and Providence Plantations” from the official name, but it is unclear when the issue will be put to a vote.
Harold Metts, the state’s only Black senator, introduced the bill.
“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,” Metts told the Providence Journal last week.
Nearly 78% of the state’s voters opposed removing the phrase in 2010 when a similar resolution was made a ballot measure, according to the Providence Journal.
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