The annual Victims’ Grove ceremony, traditionally held in April as part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), will take place virtually today. This event promotes victims' rights by honoring crime victims and survivors, as well as those who advocate on their behalf.

 

 

This year's NCVRW theme—Seek Justice | Ensure Victims' Rights | Inspire Hope —commemorates the individuals and groups whose advocacy has propelled the victims' rights movement forward for the past half century, inspiring in victims, survivors and their loved ones a feeling of hope for progress, justice, and healing. The event will take place virtually in response to COVID19.

 

 

Participating dignitaries: 

 

 

  • Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha
  • United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island Aaron L. Weisman
  • Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner.

 

 

 

When:             1 p.m.

                        Monday, June 29, 2020

 

 

Where:           Access Facebook Live event here

 

 

The following victim services professionals and advocates will be presented with 2020 Crime Victim Service Awards during the ceremony in recognition of their dedication to supporting, advocating for, and honoring the rights and dignity of Rhode Island victims of crime:  

 

 

  • Deb DeBare, MMHS (lifetime service)

National Network to End Domestic Violence

  • Detective Sergeant Gregg L. Catlow

Smithfield Police Department

  • Detectives Jeff Richards and George Duarte

Providence Police Department

  • Vincent Clement

Father and grandfather of two homicide victims

  • Detective Michael Iacone & K-9 CALI

Cranston Police Department

  • Kristi Di Cenzo and Robyn Giragosian

Sisters Overcoming Abusive Relationships (SOAR)

  • Tricia P. Martland, Esq.

Roger Williams University

Opening statements are expected Monday in former President Trump's criminal trial in New York. The six alternate jurors have been seated and the 12 jurors are already in place. The former President is accused of falsifying business records in order to cover up payments allegedly made to an adult film star just prior to the 2016 election.       New York police say the man who set himself on fire outside the Donal Trump trial drove from Florida to New York City earlier this week. The man had some papers with him that detailed conspiracy theories involving local politics. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition.       President Biden is taking jabs at Donald Trump while rallying union workers in Washington, D.C. Biden delivered remarks at an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers conference on Friday, where he said some people, including Trump, "learned the best way to get rich is inherit it." He also said those people " learn that paying taxes is for working people, not the super wealthy."        The House is expected to vote for final passage of House Speaker Mike Johnson's foreign aid package over the weekend. The House approved a rule vote today to begin debate on individual bills to provide military aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. In an unusual move, Democrats voted with Republicans to advance the legislation as many conservatives voted no.        The FAA and United Airlines are investigating a video that appears to show a Colorado Rockies staff member in the cockpit during a flight. The incident happened during the team's April 10th chartered flight from Denver to Toronto. In the video posted on social media that has since been deleted, an unauthorized person appears to sit in the pilot's seat. United Airlines says at least two pilots have been removed from the job.       Horror film "Abigail" is looking to take the top spot at this weekend's box office. It's expected to make between 12-million and 15-million-dollars in its first weekend. "Abigail" is expected to just beat out last week's winner "Civil War" for first place.