RI Complete Count Committee to Hold a Virtual Rally Via Zoom To Kick-Off the 2020 Census
A virtual rally, via Zoom, to kick-off the 2020 Census with Providence City Council President Sabina Matos, Members of the Providence City Council, Mayor Jorge O. Elorza of Providence, Mayor James A. Diossa of Central Falls, Luis Estrada, the Campaign Manager of the Rhode Island Complete Count Committee and other Community Speakers.
PROVIDENCE, RI (April 1, 2020)…the Honorable Council President Sabina Matos and the Honorable Members of the Providence City Council, along with the Honorable Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, the Honorable Mayor James A. Diossa, and the RI Complete Count Committee will be hosting a Virtual Rally to Kick-Off the 2020 Census on Zoom at 12:00 pm.
“It is vital that everyone in Rhode Island is counted,” stated Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15-Providence). “We are living in unprecedented times, and the Census is a determining factor in what our State and City receive in federal support. That is why my Council colleagues and I are passionately dedicated to making sure that every Rhode Islander has a voice and is counted in the 2020 census. I also would like to extend my gratitude to my colleagues, Councilors Rachel Miller and Helen Anthony, for their instrumental role in helping to make this ‘virtual rally’ a reality.”
Results from the Census will help determine the amount of federal funding Rhode Island gets for schools, roads, housing, SNAP, park improvements, and more for the next ten years. In fact, Rhode Island receives $3.8 billion (yes, with a “B”) each year to support these critical public resources that benefit all of us.
«The Census is easy to complete and is essential to maintaining services and programs our families, friends, and neighbors rely on,» said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza of Providence. «Your responses are safe, secure and critically important to supporting the vitality of our community here in Providence.»
Seats in the US House of Representatives are also determined by the census count, and Rhode Island is at risk of losing one of our two seats if we don’t ensure a complete and accurate count. The Census also helps to ensure fair representation at the state and local levels and provides important demographic data that community leaders use to enforce civil rights and plan for RI’s future.
Mayor James A. Diossa of Central Falls stated, “Census day is an opportunity, amidst this crisis, for all Rhode Islanders to go online and do the Census. What’s at stake is funding over the next 10 years for things that matter the most: health care, housing, education and our democracy. Join our virtual meeting and learn why, even in the midst of this pandemic, we are encouraging our community to be part of Rhode Island’s census count.”
“The 2020 Census has never been easier or faster because of the internet,” stated Luis Estrada, RI Complete Count Committee Campaign Manager. “There are no questions about immigration status, and the RI Complete Count Committee is asking that every Rhode Islander do their part to ensure the future of every community in the state. Our communities are coming together to support one another during the COVID-19 health crisis, and participation in the Census is a critical part of this effort. Please join us in kicking-off the 2020 Census at our virtual Rally.”
The Providence City Council, along with Mayor Jorge Elorza, Mayor James Diossa, and the RI Complete Count Committee will be bringing residents from across the state together via Zoom for a rally to celebrate the first “official” day of the 2020 Census.
Zoom is a virtual conferencing platform that is free to use on a computer, smartphone, tablet device, or can be accessed via a phone call. To access Zoom on the internet and to create a free account visit: www.zoom.us or download the Zoom app for free from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or the Amazon App Store for your smartphone or tablet device.
Residents from across the state are invited to join the Virtual Rally today, Wednesday, April 1 at noon by clicking the following link: https://zoom.us/j/787150962 or by calling in at: 1-646-558-8656 then enter the Meeting ID: 787 150 962 followed by the # sign – to take part in the first virtual census rally in Rhode Island history! We will also stream the Rally to Facebook on the Providence City Counci’s page found at @PVDCityCouncil.
The Virtual Rally will include a speaking program, a demonstration of how to fill out the Census, a community discussion, and a question and answer session. Questions are not limited to just the Q&A portion but will be answered in real-time in the chat feature on the Zoom platform.