Hawzah News Agency- A spokesman for Smiley, Josh Estrella, wrote to Golocal, "The Mayor’s office was informed that City Council will be hosting a flag raising ceremony outside of City Hall in a public space on Friday. We have Palestinian American residents of Providence and are happy to celebrate their culture, as we do with many other communities. We hope that we can use opportunities like this to help foster thoughtful dialogue and unity, and that it is not used for divisiveness''.

Smiley wrote in an email to GoLocal on Wednesday morning, "At the request of the City Council and two constituents, the City is flying the Palestinian flag''.

“The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island was recently made aware of the plan to display the Palestinian flag in the Providence City Council Chamber. We understand that this display is intended to commemorate Nakba Day—an unofficial observance marking what is referred to as the 'Palestinian Catastrophe' of 1948'', said Greenman in a statement to GoLocal.

Source: GOLOCAL Prov News