Opinion | EastBayRI.com - News, Opinion, Things to Do in the East Bay

Do deportation efforts show 'a complete disrespect for the Constitution'?

STORY OF THE WEEK: If the sine qua non of President Donald Trump is about pushing boundaries, the apex of that tendency is coming front and center. The showdown over Kilmar Abrego Garcia in … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/21/25

Letter: More news as the British get closer to Bristol

In case you haven’t heard, the British will be coming to Bristol May 16 to 18 (Don’t worry, patriotic Bristolians are going to send them packing!). In addition to historical … more

4/16/25

Letter: Let’s see if citizens have the fortitude for town leadership

In response to Mike Proto’s letter to the editor, “ Citizens are motivated to make change, ” Bristol Phoenix, April 10, I offer the following for consideration. Although I can … more

4/16/25

Letter: What can you do? Get involved

As we bear witness to the rapid dismantling of our governmental institutions, many of us are feeling a sense of hopelessness and helplessness. While there may be little we can do here in Bristol to … more

4/16/25

Letter: On the paper's letters policy, and national politics

This paper’s decision, based on some opaque policy, to print letters to the editor on local issues only is their rightful business. This decision may rest on the belief that national … more

4/15/25

Letter: Remember the ladies

To the editor: I am writing regarding the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act which just passed the US House and is headed for the US Senate. I urge you to contact all senators to demand … more

4/15/25

Reaction to global trade war is mostly breaking along partisan lines

1. STORY OF THE WEEK: Decades after supporters lauded the North American Free Trade Agreement as a way to add American jobs, there’s plenty of criticism of NAFTA from both the left and the … more

4/14/25

Letter: Federal actions will impact us locally in many ways

I am writing again to express my concern about the damage that DOGE is doing to Social Security. They are now changing policies on what actions can be handled online, which will force thousands of … more

4/11/25

Letter: Citizens are organized and motivated to make change

In the course of their responsibilities, the town council regularly receives requests from individuals and groups to enact or rescind town ordinances, and as highlighted in a recent Phoenix editorial … more

4/10/25

Lette: Citizens for Peace continues to speak out for peace and justice

Twenty-two years ago, on March 2, 2003, East Bay Citizens for Peace was born out of a sense of great urgency to stop the U.S. government from invading Iraq, and to defend our civil liberties … more

4/9/25

Letter: Many agencies make access to public records difficult

I have been a licensed private investigator in the state of Rhode Island since moving here in 1996. In my professional career, I have constantly been induced into battle with the majority … more

4/9/25

Letter: Our manufacturing has moved, so who does a Trade War actually help?

Here in our town of Bristol, the idea of restoring foreign manufacturing back to mainland USA is obviously delusional and not based on any current reality. In the past, our industrial base … more

4/9/25

For Democrats, it's not too early to start thinking about midterm elections

1. STORY OF THE WEEK: The mid-term elections of 2026 are almost 20 months away -- and that’s an eternity in politics. But after months of soul-searching after the Democrats’ devastating … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/7/25

Editorial: Bristol has no choice but to reject Fourth petitions

When the Bristol Town Council considers two citizen-driven petitions regarding the town’s storied Fourth of July celebration, it has only once choice to make. It must reject both petitions. … more

4/3/25

Letter: A call to action this Saturday

This Saturday, April 5, there will be a nationwide peaceful protest and rally against the Trump regime and Elon Musk. The 50501 Movement, HandsOff, and The Women’s March are collaborating … more

4/2/25

Letter: Instead of moving the concert series, maybe change it?

I am sorry to hear of the abuse directed at the volunteers of the Fourth of July Committee after the announcement that the concerts were being moved from Independence Park. The members of the … more

4/2/25

Questions about the homeless pallets are spot-on

Amazon has a small house for sale, 20’ by 40’, which is larger than the pallets now housing the homeless, with three bedrooms (or choice, like a living room or den if one bedroom is … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 4/2/25

Letter: Get involved in Saturday’s peaceful protest and rally

To the editor: This Saturday, April 5, there will be a nationwide peaceful protest and rally against the Trump regime and Elon Musk. The 50501 Movement, HandsOff, and The Women’s March are … more

4/2/25

Still waiting for the state's professional cannabis regs

1. STORY OF THE WEEK: Almost three years have passed since Gov. Dan McKee signed adult-use cannabis legalization into law , and the state has yet to open the application process for handing out … more

By Ian Donnis | 3/31/25

Letter: Firearms ban will put your life in danger

To the editor: Rhode Island’s legislature is set to pass a law that puts you and your family in danger. The bill — the “Assault Weapons Ban of 2025” … more

3/26/25

Letter: Hoping Bristol rejects ill-conceived hotel plan

The long running saga of the attempt to construct a hotel within sensitive wetlands areas on Gooding Avenue continued last week with a front page article in the Phoenix highlighting the developers … more

3/25/25

Letter: Our Mt. Hope students are deserving of recognition

I am writing to express how important it is for our community to hear more about the outstanding achievements of the students at Mt. Hope High School. While challenges and concerns often make the … more

3/25/25

Editorial: Be it resolved, a barrier to public access

A resolution being pushed before city and town councils throughout Rhode Island is asking for their support in making access to public records more challenging. Most of the thousands of bills … more

3/25/25

Join our April 5 protest of federal government actions

To the editor: I am writing this letter on behalf of a recently organized group, Islanders for Democracy. We are area citizens who are alarmed at the actions being taken at the federal level. … more

3/24/25

Will voters assign bridge blame at the polls?

1. STORY OF THE WEEK: As we roll into the weekend, perhaps you’re savoring the emergence of spring, the arrival of March Madness in Providence, an expected return to form of the Red Sox or any … more

3/24/25