Providence Firefighters Criticize Administration at Miguel Luna Remembrance
Tuesday, December 08, 2015
Luna's two sons were on hand to unveil their later father's painting at the Broad Street Fire Station on Monday.
The event “Protect Our Community, Protect Miguel Luna’s Legacy” was organized by Luna’s ex-wife Shannah Kurland, and drew nearly 100 community supporters who came both to honor Luna’s life and criticize the Elorza Administration for the ongoing strife with firefighters.
“It’s bad enough to see the attacks on firefighters, but when I heard about [engine] ten, I thought oh no,” said Kurland. “This is sacred ground. The reason why we’re here is what Miguel built.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTLuna had served on the Providence City Council beginning in 2003, before he passed away after a heart attack in 2011 at the age of 53.
“The well-liked Luna was the first Dominican-American elected to the Council. He represented Ward 9 (Elmwood and Washington Park) and was known as a strong advocate for Providence public schools,” wrote GoLocal the time.
Labor, Elected Officials Weigh In
Members of the firefighters union and elected leaders were on hand Monday night to celebrate Luna’s legacy.
“I want to thank Dante and Omar for sharing their father with me, with us,” said Paul Doughty, President of the Local 799, of Luna's sons, who helped unveil the painting. “There was no greater advocate for the Providence Fire Department in the whole city. What he wanted was justice, fairness…and the things that mattered. Those things are gone in this administration."
Doughty then went on to state that the city had first originally closed a station on the East Side on Saturday before switching part of the impact to the Broad Street station — which the Administration has denied.
State Representative Joe Almeida spoke briefly, saying he had to leave the event to attend a Providence delegation meeting.
Referencing the nickname of the firehouse firefighters (the “Broad Street Bullies”), Almeida riled up the crowd.
“Joe’s going to bring the political bully,” said Almeida before he left, to cheers.
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