SENATE RESOLUTION CONDEMNING POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND REAFFIRMING THE PRINCIPLES OF CIVILITY, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Britto and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island condemns all political violence and extremism, urging civil discourse and peaceful, law-based participation in democracy.

04/30/2026 Senate read and passed

Purpose and Intent

SR 3240 is a Senate resolution that formally condemns political violence in all forms and reaffirms the state’s commitment to civility, public safety, and democratic governance.

It emphasizes that Rhode Island and the United States are founded on peaceful, law-based processes and respectful, peaceful civic engagement.

The resolution specifically notes concerns about a rise in politically motivated threats and violence nationwide, including an attempted violence against former President Donald J. Trump, and asserts that such acts have no place in democracy.

Key Provisions

Condemnation of political violence: The Rhode Island Senate condemns political violence in all its forms, whether threatened or carried out.

Denunciation of extremism: It urges rejection of extremism and a commitment to upholding the rule of law.

Call for civil discourse: The resolution urges Rhode Islanders to promote mutual respect, civic responsibility, and peaceful participation in the democratic process.

Public messaging and transmission: The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to transmit certified copies of the resolution to the President (Donald J. Trump) and to members of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation.

Who/What Is Affected

Governmental and state actors: Rhode Island Senate (as endorsing body) and the Secretary of State (as the messenger and implementer of the transmission clause).

National figures and institutions: The President and Rhode Island’s federal congressional delegation are recipients of the resolution.

General public: The resolution is a public message aimed at all Rhode Islanders, urging civility and peaceful civic engagement.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

Introduction and sponsor: Sen. Jessica de la Cruz introduced the resolution; co-sponsored by the same senator.

Referral and action: Referred to as “Recommended for Immediate Consideration,” indicating expedited treatment in the Senate.

Date: Introduced on April 30, 2026, during the January 2026 Rhode Island General Assembly session.

Effect: As a concurrent or joint body statement, the resolution serves as a formal expression of the Senate’s stance and does not create enforceable policy beyond its declarative and moral exhortation. The mechanism for formal transmission is direct through the Secretary of State.

Notable Details

The resolution explicitly cites the recent attempted violence against President Trump as a referenced occasion to reaffirm commitment to peaceful democratic processes.

The text calls for leaders at all government levels to model civility and condemn violence irrespective of its source or target.

Overall, SR 3240 functions as a symbolic, non-binding statement that reinforces commitments to civility, the rule of law, and peaceful political participation, while urging public officials and Rhode Islanders to reject violence and extremism.

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