News - National
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations?
Posted: Oct 6, 2010 8:53 AM by Bea Karnes
Updated: Oct 6, 2010 8:53 AM
Rhode Island voters will be asked if they want to change the state's official name this November.
The state is officially known as the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Ballot Question No. 1 asks voters if "Providence Plantations" should be dropped.
Supporters of the name change say the "plantation" reference is a racist reminder of slavery.
Critics say the name has nothing to do with the slave trade and that it would cost the state millions of dollars to change the name.
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