PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Protestors gathered at the Rhode Island State House Tuesday night, while Governor Dan McKee delivered the State of the State Address. Demonstrators called for a public health emergency on homelessness. “We want housing now, now, now,” some chanted. Capitol police and Rhode Island State Police blocked protestors from the State House rotunda and the second floor. Black Lives Matter Rhode Island President Harrison Tuttle called Tuesday’s public outcry a “people’s state of the state.” “For anybody who has never had their voice heard in the state of Rhode Island and has reached out for help to the state of Rhode Island and they have been passed aside, ignored, this is for them,” Tuttle said. One protestor, a woman currently living at a shelter in Providence, spoke from her personal experience regarding homelessness. “There are so many people that are just sleeping on the streets with nowhere to go,” she said. Homeless advocates say a state of emergency declaration by the governor would override certain regulations and allow more shelters to open in Rhode Island. The governor’s office telling ABC6 News that although a declaration may allow flexibility, McKee is concerned about waiving fire safety laws. Additionally, “no additional financial resources would be generated by an emergency declaration.” In regards to law enforcement blocking off parts of the State House tonight, Governor McKee’s office telling ABC6 News that the State House rotunda can be reserved many times for events, as it was for the State of the State. Categories: News, Providence, Rhode Island