Retired Federal Judge Warns Providence's Question 7 Could Spark a 'Litigation Frenzy'
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Retired federal judge William Smith warned on October 31 that the city's ballot Question 7 could set off a "litigation frenzy" if approved, in a letter obtained by WPRI and published by the Providence Journal.
The measure's text does not mention Israel; it would require the city to divest from nations engaged in genocide, apartheid, ethnic cleansing and prolonged military occupation. But the Providence Coalition for Palestine, which gathered more than 5,000 signatures to place it on the ballot, has said Israel is the target.
Smith wrote that the proposed ordinance is deeply flawed and likely unenforceable, and that passage would bring chaos and disruption to the city's investment commission and could harm its pension investments. Mayor Brett Smiley and the city's pension fund managers have likewise warned the measure could disrupt management of the fund, which holds $700 million in assets against a $1.85 billion shortfall — one of the city's largest fiscal crises.
Supporters respond that the language was carefully drafted to preserve the city's fiduciary duties to residents and pensioners, and accuse the mayor's side of fearmongering.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Providence Rhode Island skyline 2017。Kenneth C. Zirkel 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Providence Rhode Island skyline 2017. By Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
